Prior to starting work at Charlottesville Tomorrow, I found Jessie Higgins’ reporting on COVID-19 essential to navigating local resources and issues of the crisis.
That’s why I’m especially proud that Jessie and our newsroom have been honored by the Virginia Press Association for Lifetime Achievement. The reports were edited by Elliot Robinson and Erin O’Hare. This honor pays tribute to the entire press team, which provided essential information in the most difficult circumstances.
Jessie’s reporting, according to the judges, is “exceptionally clear” and “makes complicated subjects understandable”. The story group “addresses COVID-related angles that many others haven’t touched on.”
The Virginia Press Association announced the winners of the 2021 VPA News & Advertising Awards during a four-day celebration April 25-28.. Charlottesville Tomorrow received nine awards, including a Best In Show and three first prizes.
“It’s always exciting to come together to celebrate the best journalism in all of Virginia,” said Betsy Edwards, executive director of the Virginia Press Association at Thursday’s virtual Best In Show ceremony. “We had over 3,000 entries for this year’s competition, which makes every category competitive.”
Jessie, our editor, won Best In Show in the Online News division for her COVID-19 coverage. For the second year in a row, Jessie, government reporter Charlotte Rene Woods and photographer Mike Kropf also took home several awards.
It’s a great opportunity to look back on an incredible year and appreciate the work of the journalists. Thank you for being part of this community and sharing information and your views to help spread these stories.
Angelie Shah
Chief Editor
Here are all of our 2021 VPA awards, with comments from the judges:
