Newspaper wins first place award
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“The Coosa County News” was awarded first place in its division for best news feature story coverage for “Broken dreams: A tornado survivor’s story” by Christa Jennings.
Staff report
For the first time in at least 20 years, “The Coosa County News” entered the Alabama Press Association’s annual awards, and it won a first place award.
Winners of the 2024 Alabama Press Association Media Awards were announced by Dee Ann Campbell, chair of the AMA Contest Committee.
This year, 56 publications submitted 1,770 entries in the annual contest. The Hoosier State Press Association membership judged this year’s entries.
For the first time in two decades, if not the first time ever, “The Coosa County News” opted to enter this year’s editorial division contest. Being the first time the staff has entered the contest, the newspaper chose to only submit two articles for consideration as it familiarized itself with the categories and contest.
Out of the two entries submitted, “The Coosa County News” brought home an award, winning first place in its division for “Best News Feature Story Coverage.” The winning article was “Broken dreams: A tornado survivor’s story” by Christa Jennings, featured in the March 17, 2023, edition.
“The Coosa County News” was followed by “The Leader” in Linden who won second place and “The Observer” in Opelika who won third place for the same category and division.
“I’m not sure if the newspaper previously entered the APA Media Awards, but I know it hasn’t entered during my time with the newspaper,” said Christa Jennings, editor and senior staff writer. “I appreciate those who encouraged me to enter the contest this year and who have supported the newspaper and me along the way.”
While it was hoped that at least one of the articles might win an award, it was still a pleasant surprise to learn that the newspaper did win an award, and even more exciting to realize it won first place.
“As a first time entrant to the editorial contest, it was thrilling to receive the news that one of our articles not only won, but won first place,” Jennings said. “I was both ecstatic and very humbled to receive news of the award. It was unexpected, but much appreciated.”
“I think oftentimes she doesn’t see her work the way the rest of the community does; the award is a nice way to remind her that her work is important and good,” said Lydia Waters, newspaper office and advertising manager. “I’m so proud of her and the newspaper.”
The newspaper staff looks forward to submitting entries in the APA Media Awards contest in future years and hopes to bring more awards to the county and the local newspaper. We appreciate those who continue to read and support us through the years.
