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The Alexandria Gazette Packet and Mount Vernon Gazette secured six honors for their 2024 journalism, contributing to a 13-award showing across their affiliated local publications.
The Virginia Press Association announced the winners April 12 at the Omni Richmond. Journalists from outside Virginia judged the annual statewide competition, one of the nation’s largest of its kind.
Glenda Booth earned two second-place awards for the Mount Vernon Gazette. She was recognized for a feature series or continuing story that judges praised for turning complex, important subjects into thoroughly researched and engaging coverage. Booth also placed second for health, science and environmental writing.
Susan Laume received two third-place honors. Her “Washington’s Birthday” picture story or essay stood out for its variety of scenes and perspectives, including an image of smoke rising above costumed soldiers. She also placed third for health, science and environmental writing.
At the Alexandria Gazette Packet, Jeanne Theismann won third place for her “Legends of Alexandria” columns. Judges praised the series’ elegant presentation and its accounts of individuals’ lifetime achievements. Theismann also earned third place for education writing.
Seven More Honors Across Northern Virginia
Bonnie Hobbs collected three awards for her Fairfax County reporting.
In the Fairfax County North publication, Hobbs placed second for her feature-writing portfolio. Judges highlighted her detailed interviews and reporting on the Chantilly High job fair and Maj. Jane Russell’s career.
Hobbs also earned second place for in-depth or investigative reporting for “Senior Housing Approval.” The coverage explored airport noise concerns involving a proposed senior housing project and examined the alleged misrepresentation of a subcommittee’s decision.
Her work in the Fairfax County South publication received third place in the investigative-government category. Judges commended her thorough account of a local city’s unusual decision to part ways with its city manager shortly before a new council took office.
Four awards went to work published in Arlington. Eden Brown and Shirley Ruhe won first place for headline writing with a playful reference to a squirrel’s success and the A-Team.
Brown and Giovani Flores placed second for their combined photographs and story about Memorial Day. Judges praised the images and the range of powerful quotations included in the coverage.
Ruhe also received second place for the personality or portrait photograph “Way Too Long,” which captured contrasting moods through musicians positioned in the foreground and background.
Her “Food Insecurity Series” earned another second-place award for a feature series or continuing story. Judges cited its strong writing and its focus on poverty and food insecurity affecting communities nationwide.