The News-Gazette was a big winner in this year’s Better Newspaper Contest judging, announced at the annual Virginia Press Association awards banquet last Saturday. The awards ceremony was the culmination of the association’s annual conference, held at the Virginian Hotel in Lynchburg.
Entries from the paper covering writing, page design, advertising, photography, video and newsletters were judged against those of similar sized non-daily newspapers in the state. Overall, The News-Gazette won 18 awards, including five first place awards, three second place and ten third place certificates.
April Mikels, advertising representative for the newspaper, received one of the major awards of the night, being named Outstanding Sales Professional of the Year. One letter recommending her for the award stated that she “exemplifies the best in what a good salesperson should be. She is goal-oriented, productive and efficient, but always with the customer’s best interest in mind.” Another letter from a customer described Mikels as a “wonderful asset to your paper!”
Receiving first place awards for their work were Stephanie Blevins, Ed Smith, Joann Ware and Beverly Thorman. Blevins won two first place awards for page design and sports feature photo. The judges comment on her winning photo was “.. well composed and nice emotion.” Smith won for his editorial writing. Editorials that made up his entry included a remembrance of Charles Bodie, and editorials entitled “ Message in Macy's New Book Resonates” and “Seeking Answers from VMI's Board.”
Ware won a first place award for her column writing. Judges commented on her writing that, “ These personal columns are engaging, heartfelt and gently humorous -- a pleasure to read.” Beverly Thorman won in the newsletters category for her work with the papers new N-G NOW Friday newsletter. Judges said, “ Each edition is full of local and statewide news, exclusive interviews, history, videos, info about upcoming community events and more. This newsletter is a must read for residents of Lexington!”
News-Gazette staff members winning second place awards were Stephanie Blevins for sports page design and for sports news photos for her image entitled, “In Your Face.” April Mikels, Gay Lea Goodbar and Cheryl Garrett shared an award in special sections for the 2025 High School Graduation edition.
Blevins also won third place for front page design and shared an award for general makeup with Joann Ware. Joseph Haney won a third place award for government writing. Haney and Ed Smith won a third place in feature series or continuing story for their work on a retrospective of the 1985 flood. Gay Lea Goodbar received a third place award in the advertising – education, churches and organizations category for design for an ad for the Rockbridge SPCA.
Beverly Thorman won third place in the video category for her video of downtown Lexington holiday store windows. Jonathan Schwab won third place in the sports writing portfolio category. Darryl Woodson took third for his headline writing. Goodbar, Mikels and Matt Paxton received a third place award in slick cover publications for the 2025 Healthy Living guide. Matt Paxton won a third place award in the advertising-food and drug category for design of an ad for Lexington Prescription Center.
The News-Gazette competed against weekly newspapers around Virginia with circulations between 4,000 and 7,500.
