2006 Virginia Press Association Award Announcements!!!

First Place - Pictorial Photo

Shark Tank

Shark Tank

This was shot at the Virginia Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach when Cub Scout Pack 523 went on a weekend campout.

3rd Place - Portrait Photo
Tuba Serenade

Tuba Serenade

This is Richard Burnett, a member of the Hanover Concert Band. The image was shot last summer while the band was playing at the Hanover Tomato Festival.

The Virginia Press Association presents awards each year to recognize excellence in journalism, photography, design, and community service. The competition is a peer competition, with the entries are judged by a jury pulled from a different state's press association membership. There are separate categories based on publication frequency and circulation size. My entries were in the Weekly Paper Circulation 5000-7000 group; there were 26 newspapers in this group.

What is particulary meaningful to me is that I won as a freelancer! The competition is open to all staff contributors, but freelancers have to additional criteria that has to be met:

Needless to say, I met the qualifications! This really is a thrill, especially considering the circumstances.

I am so lucky to have the support of my wife and family, as well as the Herald-Progress. Thank you all for making this possible!