The West Virginia Press Association has released the results of their 2019 Newspaper Editorial and Advertising Contest, which they host annually. Newspapers from across the state compete with other publications in their circulation division in multiple editorial and advertising categories.
This year, the Mountain Messenger staff was awarded second place overall in the Best Special Section category for the 2018 West Virginia State Fair Guide. Last year, the staff scored first place for the 2017 West Virginia State Fair Guide.
Head Editor Sarah Richardson won second place in the Best News Feature category for her piece, “Local entrepreneur finds innovative replacement for plastic products,” which was published in June of last year. The piece is available to read online at www.mountainmessenger.com/local-entrepreneur-finds-innovative-replacement-for-plastic-products.
Senior Editor Peggy Mackenzie secured two third place awards, one in the Best Lifestyle Columnist division for an Eat Your Vegetables! piece, and another in the Best News Feature division for her coverage of a local hunger summit event, titled, “Hunger summit addresses myth that poor people deserve what they get,” available to read online at www.mountainmessenger.com/hunger-summit-addresses-myth-that-poor-people-deserve-what-they-get.