2022 NCPA Editorial and Advertising Awards
Contact: Philip Lucey, NCPA Executive Director, phil@ncpress.com
For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 25, 2022
(Raleigh, NC) North Carolina Press Association members were honored for excellence in news and advertising coverage during the 149th annual convention held in Raleigh on Thursday, August 25, 2022. NCPA’s advertising and editorial contest is one of the largest in the nation with over 4,000 entries submitted by more than 125 newspapers and news organizations.
The Henry Lee Weathers Freedom of Information Award honors journalists or newspapers for exceptional work in advancing or upholding the cause of Freedom of Information. It also recognizes excellence in reporting about access to government-held information and the First Amendment. Tom Boney, Jr. and staff from Alamance News, Dan Kane, Kate Murphy and Martha Quillin from the News & Observer, and Greg Barnes, and Bill Kirby Jr. from CityView TODAY, were recognized as the best in their respective divisions for this award.
The Hugh Morton Photographer of the year award recognizes a photographer's body of work for the contest year and is the most prestigious photography award we give. This year the Judges from Iowa Press Association recognized Bob Karp from 27587 Magazine, Khadejeh Nikouyeh from the Charlotte Observer and Ken Fine from NewOldNorth.com.
The Duke University/Green-Rossiter Award for Distinguished Newspaper Work in Higher Education recognized Sara Pequeño from Indy Week for her work on Nikole Hannah-Jones’ experience with UNC Emblematic of Struggle for Black women in Academia. Kate Murphy, Martha Quillin, and Lucille Sherman from the News & Observer were recognized for their coverage of North Carolina’s universities. Joe Killian from N.C Policy Watch was recognized for his coverage on political pressure in higher education.
Perquimans Weekly, State Port Pilot, Smoky Mountain News, Goldsboro News-Argus and the Daily Reflector were recognized as the top winners in their respective divisions for the Advertising Sweepstakes award sponsored by Metro Creative Graphics.
A list of categories and rules can be found at ncpress.com. For a full list of winners, visit www.ncpress.com
2021-22 NCPA Editorial and Advertising awards by Division
Division A
Avery Journal Times A total of four awards to Henry Volk, Marisa Mecke and Neal Falvey
Bertie Ledger-Advance Two awards to Andre' Alfred
Black Mountain News One first place award in advertising to Marilyn Parnell and staff
Blowing Rocket Two awards to David Rogers and Kevin Lumpkin
Charlotte Post Five awards go to Herbert L. White, Ashley Mahoney, Hadiya Presswood, Aaliyah Bowden and Melba Newsome
Cherokee One Feather A total of twelve awards go to Robert Jumper, Scott Brings Plenty and Jonah Lossiah
Cherokee Scout Twelve awards go to David Brown, Justin Fitzgerald, Abigail Hickman, Penny Ray, Anngee Quinones-Belian, Jared Putnam and staff
Chowan Herald Two advertising awards go to Bev Alexander and staff
Clemmons Courier Two editorial awards to Jim Buice
Elkin Tribune Five awards go to Holly Lamm, Darla Allen, Dawn Bagale, Aaron Eaton, Abby Ellis, Kitsey Burns Harrison and staff
Graham Star Four awards for Kitsey Burns Harrison, Art Miller, and Kevin Hensley
Hendersonville Lightning Four awards to newly elected NCPA president Bill Moss and Matt Matteson.
Highlander Six awards tonight for Christopher Lugo and Staff
Johnstonian News Six awards go to Scott Bolejack and Staff
Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald Two awards for Deborah Griffin and Staff
Mount Olive Tribune - Ginger Carroll , Emily Weaver ,Rudy Coggins and the staff are recognized for seven awards.
News of Orange County Two editorial awards for Dale Edwards
News-Journal One award goes to Ken MacDonald
News-Record & Sentinel One advertising award for Karen Ingraham and Marilyn Parnell
North State Journal 19 total awards to Heath Hamacher, PJ Ward-Brown, Shawn Krest, Brett Friedlander, Cory Lavalette, Lauren Rose, and Matt Mercer
Perquimans Weekly Five advertising awards to Bev Alexander and Staff
Richmond County Daily Journal Two editorial awards go to Neel Madhavan
RockinghamNow Four awards for Susie Spear
Smoky Mountain Times One editorial award to Hannah Styles
Spring Hope Enterprise Four awards go to Staff, Lindell Kay and Ken Ripley
Watauga Democrat Eight awards for Ian Taylor, Kayla Lasure, Moss Brennan, Marisa Mecke and Staff
Yadkin Ripple Three advertising awards go to Holly Lamm, Dawn Bagale, Amanda Cooke’ Serena Bowman, and Katelyn Goins
Division B
Alamance News Six awards go to Kristy Bailey, Tomas Murawski, Tom Boney, Jr. and staff
Ashe Post & Times One award in advertising to Teresa Roark-Laws and Brian Hodges
Brunswick Beacon Four awards in total to Christy Williamson, Laura Lewis and Staff
Chatham News & Record 29 awards to Taylor Heeden, Victoria Johnson, Bill Horner III, D. Lars Dolder, Hannah McClellan, Victor Hensley, Chip Pate, Kim Hawks, Peyton Sickles, Victoria Johnson, Chapel Fowler, John McCann, and Taylor Heeden
Coastland Times Ten awards for Theresa Schneider, Hannah Russ, Summer Stevens and Staff
Courier-Times Five awards to Ginger Carroll, Kelly Snow and George Willoughby
Daily Dispatch Three awards for Ray Gronberg, David Irvine and Brandon White
Daily Herald Ten total awards go to Rhonda Irby, Justin Hayes,Richard Holm and staff
Davie County Enterprise-Record Four awards total to Ray Tutterow and Mike Barnhardt
Denver Citizen One advertising award to Ashlie DeCaron,and Leslie Thomas
Enquirer-Journal Three awards to Holly Morgan, and Jeremy Vernon
Franklin Press Five total awards to Liz Birolin, Stan Polanski and Staff
Lake Norman Citizen Four awards for Ashlie DeCaron, Cindy Dorman, Mandy Thornton, Kelly Wright and Staff
News Reporter Eight awards go to Diana Matthews, Grant Merritt, Ivey Schofield
Thomas Sherrill, Justin Smith, Franklin Davis, Les High,Rocky McPherson and Staff
Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald Three awards for Cal Bryant
Robesonian Three advertising awards for Brandy Bridges, Melody Evans and Cristal Graham and one editorial award for Chris Stiles
Stanly News & Press One editorial award for B.J. Drye
State Port Pilot A total of 32 advertising and editorial awards go to Linda Lash, Mindy Ellinger, Carol Magnani, Joey Robinson, Ben Frazier, Eliot Duke, Lee Hinnant, Morgan Harper, John L. Cardillo, Michael Paul, Gary Pethe, Michael Paul, Fred Ammann and Staff
Stokes News One editorial award to the Staff of Stokes News
Tryon Daily Bulletin One editorial award to Leah Justice
Up & Coming Weekly A total of 7 awards to Dylan Hooker and Kathleen Ramsey
Washington Daily News Four awards for Karen Thiel, Ashley Vansant, Steve Barnes and Staff
Wilkes Journal-Patriot Eight editorial awards to Jule Hubbard, and Marty McGee
Division C
27587 Magazine Six awards to Bob Bogert, Bob Karp and Philip M. Read Jr.
Carteret County News-Times One award to JJ Smith
Charlotte Business Journal Four awards go to Ashley Fahey, Erik Spanberg, Liz O'Connell, Jennifer Thomas, Collin Huguley and Melissa Key
Daily Record Eight awards to Ginger Carroll, Emily Weaver, Thomas Honeycutt, Donnell Coley and staff
Independent Tribune One first place award to Jemal Horton
Indy Week Six awards go to Brian Howe, Leigh Tauss, Thomasi McDonald, Sarah Edwards, Lena Geller and Jasmine Gallup
Mooresville Citizen Three awards for Mandy Thornton, Kelly Wright, Ashlie DeCaron, Melissa Spinelli and Elizabeth Durocher
Mount Airy News Ten advertising and editorial awards for Regenia Grant, Serena Bowman, Donna Thomas, Bob Ward, Aaron Eaton, Cory Smith and staff
Mountain Xpress Six awards for Scott Southwick, Olivia Urban, Jessica Wakeman, Daniel Walton, Edwin Arnaudin and Staff
Mountaineer Five awards for Becky Johnson, Vicki Hyatt, Jan George, and Jack Snyder
Outer Banks Milepost Seven awards go to Jesse Davis, Biff Jennings, M. Leigh Ward, Ryan Moser and Staff
The Pilot 29 advertising and editorial awards go to Scott Yancey, Jennie Acklin, Emily Jolly, Jessica Galloway, Mechelle Butler, Kathy Desmond, Erika Leap, Terry Hartsell, Scott Yancey, Samantha Cunningham, Karen Triplett, David Woronoff, John Nagy, Lorelei Colbert, Timothy L. Hale, Deborah Salomon, Ayn-Monique Klahre, Laura P. Wall, Jonathan Bym, Jaymie Baxley, Ted Fitzgerald, Deborah Salomon, Abbi Overfelt and staff
Queen City Nerve Four awards go to Ryan Pitkin, Nikolai Mather, and Pat Moran
Salisbury Post 13 Awards for Carl Blankenship, Ben Stansell, Mike London, Natalie Anderson, Josh Bergeron, and Staff
Smoky Mountain News a total of 33 advertising and editorial awards go to Amanda Bradly, Micah McClure, Greg Boothroyd, Jessica Murray, Sophia Burleigh, Holly Kays, Hannah McLeod, Cory Vaillancourt, Susanna Shetley, Michael Gouge, Garret K. Woodward, Scott McLeod, and staff
Triad City Beat Two editorial awards to James Douglas
Triangle Business Journal Three editorial awards to Lauren Ohnesorge, Zac Ezzone, Connie Gentry, and Sougata Mukherjee, Wilson Times 23 total awards go to Lisa Boykin Batts, Olivia Neeley, Drew C. Wilson, Corey Friedman, Drew C. Wilson, Olivia Neeley, Jaksa Gabric, Paul Durham, Casea Bunn, Brie Handgraaf and staff
YES! Weekly Ten awards go to Alex Farmer, Austin Kindley and staff
Division O
Asheville Watchdog A total of two awards to Sally Kestin and Peter Lewis
Axios Charlotte Five awards go to Michael Graff, Emma Way, Danielle Chemtob, Laura Barrero, Katie Peralta Soloff and Symphony Webber
Border Belt Independent Nine awards go to Sarah Nagem, Ivey Schofield, Les High, Keem Grady, and Kevin Maurer
Cardinal & Pine Nine awards for Billy Ball, Emiene Wright, Michael McElroy, Sarah Ovaska, and Shaun Sindelman
Carolina Journal Nine awards go to Dallas Woodhouse, Mitch Kokai, Greg de Deugd, Donna King, Jim Stirling, Theresa Opeka, Maya Reagan and staff
Carolina Public Press 13 awards for Jordan Wilkie, Laura Lee, Anna Deen, Mark Darrough, Jodi Helmer, Kate Martin, Mark Darrough, Jodi Helmer, Mariano Santillan and Staff
CityView TODAY One editorial award to Anthony Wooten
Coastal Review six awards for Jennifer Allen, Dylan Ray, Mark Hibbs, Trista Talton and Staff
Davidson Local News two awards going to James Kiefer and Sidney Briggs
Island Free Press seven awards for Donna Barnett, Rory Kelleher, Joy Crist, Don Bowers, and Kristin Hissong
N.C. Policy Watch three awards for Lisa Sorg, Greg Childress and Rob Schofield
NC Health News 16 award go to Anne Blythe, Greg Barnes, Taylor Knopf, Rose Hoban, Hannah Critchfield,, Shelbi Polk, Clarissa Donnelly-DeRoven, Melba Newsome, Mariama Jallow, Clarissa Donnelly-DeRoven and staff
NewOldNorth.com 3 awards go to Ken Fine, Shan Stumpf, and Renee Carey
Ocracoke Observer 4 awards for Richard Taylor, Peter Vankevich, and Connie Leinbach
Port City Daily 4 awards go to Shea Carver, Alexandria Sands adn Johanna Still
Richmond Observer 13 awards for William R. Toler and Kyle Pillar
The Rant six awards going to Gordon Anderson, and Billy Liggett
Division D
Courier-Tribune with one editorial award to Rachel Berry and Michelle Sten.
Daily Advance 12 awards going to Rachel Berry, Michelle Shen, Lisa Bailey and Creative Staff, Rich Houghton, Reggie Ponder, Julian Eure and Chris Day
Daily News (Jacksonville) 5 awards for Chris Miller, Trevor Dunnell and Jennifer Rich
Fayetteville Observer 36 total awards going to Jacob Pucci, Akira Kyles, Paul Woolverton, Kristen Johnson, F.T. Norton, Fred Clasen-Kelly, William Ramsey, Andrew Craft, Myron B. Pitts, David Thompson, Chapel Fowler, Danielle Dreilinger, Rachael Riley, Monica Holland, Rodd Baxley and staff
Goldsboro News-Argus 10 awards for Larry Vickers, Becky Barclay and Staff
Herald-Sun 16 awards go to Charlie Innis, Julian Shen-Berro, Drew Jackson, Martha Quillin, Casey Toth, Avi Bajpai, Zachery Eanes, Brooke Cain, Martha Quillin, Chip Alexander, Casey Toth, Andrew Carter and Staff
Hickory Daily Record 13 awards for Kevin Griffin, Sarah C. Johnson, Robert C. Reed, Kevin Griffin, Virginia Annable and Staff
High Point Enterprise 22 awards for Sandy Southards, Amanda Duncan, Roger Boyd, Jimmy Tomlin, Guy Lucas, Laura Greene, Michael Lindsay, Paul B. Johnson, Laura Greene and the Enterprise sports staff
McDowell News One editorial award goes to Scott Hollifield
Morganton News Herald 7 awards for Chrissy Murphy, Sharon McBrayer and Staff
Rocky Mount Telegram one editorial award goes to William F. West
Sanford Herald 3 advertising awards for Jeff Ayers, and Laura Powers
Sun Journal 7 awards go to Trevor Dunnell, Bill Hand, Todd Wetherington, Chris Segal, Charlie Hall and staff
Times News (Burlington) one award goes to Ahmed Jallow
Division E
Asheville Citizen-Times Michael VanGorder, Marilyn Parnell, Karen Chávez and Joel Burgess
Charlotte Observer 29 total awards going to Mike Quick, Jason Smith, Justin Moore
Michael Gordon, Joe Marusak, Paige Masten, Kristen Kornbluth, Theoden Janes, Jeff Siner, Scott Fowler, CharlotteFive staff, Will Wright, Lauren Lindstrom, Alex Andrejev, Khadejeh Nikouyeh, Will Wright, Sara Coello, Carli Brosseau, Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Maddie Ellis and staff
Daily Reflector 11 advertising awards for Christina Ruotolo, Emily Leach, Jessica Harris and Staff
News & Observer 34 total awards for Tod Machin, Brian Murphy, Adam Wagner, Aaron Sánchez-Guerra, Lynn Bonner, T. Keung Hui, Tyler Dukes, Will Doran, Clifton Dowell, Carli Brosseau, Julia Wall, Drew Jackson, Casey Toth, Travis Long, Andrew Carter, Nina Pasquini, Laura Brache, Kimberly Cataudella, Danielle Battaglia, Kate Murphy, Martha Quillin, Lucille Sherman, Dan Kane, David Raynor, Sara Pequeño, Robert Willett, Kevin Keister, Luke DeCock, Lars Dolder, Ned Barnett, Josh Shaffer, Brooke Cain, Martha Quillin and Staff
News & Record 20 awards go to Ray Causey, Jennifer Atkins Brown, Cindy Loman, Tanya Roberts, Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane, Allen Johnson, Mike Kernels, Woody Marshall, Nancy McLaughlin, Richard M. Barron,, Kenneth Ferriera and Staff
StarNews 11 awards go to Emma Dill, Sydney Hoover, Jonathan Haynes, John Staton, John Orona, Gareth McGrath, Hunter Ingram, Owen Hassell, Dan Spears and Staff
Statesville Record & Landmark One editorial award goes to Taylor Jedrzejek
Winston-Salem Journal 23 awards for Ray Causey, Scott Sexton, Walt Unks, Mick Scott, John Dell, John Hinton, Wesley Young, Andrew Dye, Allison Lee Isley, Ethan Joyce, Michael Hastings, Lisa O'Donnell and Staff
NCPA special awards
Lassiter First Amendment Award , Senator Bill Rabon
Media & Law awards sponsored and presented by NC Bar Association president Clayton Morgan
Best Community Article
Bill Cresenzo
North Carolina Lawyers Weekly
A Surge Of Silver Splitters Are Calling Lawyers, Calling It Quits
Best Daily Newspaper Article
Michael Gordon
The Charlotte Observer
Inmates seeking release from COVID-hit prisons have next to no chance in this
NC district
Best Online Article
Kate Martin
Carolina Public Press
Justice for Children of Cherokee County
Best Series
Olivia Neeley
The Wilson Times
Fighting for Freedom
Duke University/Green-Rossiter Award for Distinguished Newspaper Work in Higher Education
Community Division: Sara Pequeño Indy Week For her work on Nikole Hannah-Jones's Experience with UNC Emblematic of Struggle for Black Women in Academia
Daily Division: Kate Murphy, Martha Quillin and Lucille Sherman News & Observer For their Coverage of North Carolina's universities
Online Division: Joe Killian N.C. Policy Watch For his coverage on Political pressure in higher education
Hugh Morton Photographer of the year award.
Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year in the Community Newspaper Division from 27587 Magazine, Bob Karp
Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year in the Daily Newspaper Division from the Charlotte Observer, Khadejeh Nikouyeh
Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year in the Online Newspaper Division from NewOldNorth.com, Ken Fine
The Henry Lee Weathers Freedom of Information Award
For community newspapers: Tom Boney, Jr. and Staff Alamance News
Publisher held in contempt, forcibly removed from courtroom, handcuffed after trying to cover trial
In the daily division: Dan Kane, Kate Murphy and Martha Quillin News & Observer
UNC secrecy vs. the public's right to know
And in the online division: Greg Barnes, Bill Kirby Jr. CityView TODAY
Investigating the Tisha Waddell allegations
Mark Binker public notice award .
For coverage on, Antioch Farms our community winner is Thomas Sherrill News Reporter
For coverage on, One property, two visions of the future our daily winner is Wesley Young Winston-Salem Journal
Public Service awards.
First -- community newspapers
Staff Smoky Mountain News. The Pigeon River Flood of 2021
In the daily division
Ames Alexander, Gavin Off, David Raynor, and Richard Stradling Charlotte Observer. Death in the Fast Lane
And in the online division
Sally Kestin Asheville Watchdog. Equity Erased
Advertising Sweepstakes and General Excellence in print and online.
Sponsored by Metro Creative Graphics the sweepstakes award recognizes the top award winners from each division.
Perquimans Weekly Division A
State Port Pilot Division B
Smoky Mountain News Division C
Goldsboro News-Argus Division D
Daily Reflector Division E
Division A.
General Excellence for websites
3rd place Cherokee One Feather
2nd place Watauga Democrat
1st place Hendersonville Lightning
Overall General Excellence
3rd place North State Journal
2nd place Highlander
1st place Watauga Democrat
Division B
General Excellence for websites
3rd place State Port Pilot
2nd place Chatham News & Record
1st place News Reporter
Overall General Excellence
3rd place State Port Pilot
2nd place Washington Daily News
1st place Chatham News + Record
Division C
General Excellence for websites
3rd place Triad City Beat
2nd place Wilson Times
1st place Mountaineer
Overall General Excellence
3rd place Smoky Mountain News
2nd place Wilson Times
1st place The Pilot
online-only organizations:
website only
3rd place Island Free Press
2nd place Carolina Public Press
1st place Border Belt Independent
Overall general excellence
3rd place NC Health News
2nd place Coastal Review
1st place Carolina Public Press
Division D,
General Excellence for websites
3rd place Hickory Daily Record
2nd place Sun Journal
1st place Daily News (Jacksonville)
Overall General Excellence
3rd place Hickory Daily Record
2nd place Goldsboro News-Argus
1st place Fayetteville Observer
Division E
General Excellence for websites
3rd place Daily Reflector
2nd place Charlotte Observer
1st place StarNews
Overall General Excellence
3rd place Winston-Salem Journal
2nd place News & Observer
1st place Charlotte Observer
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