Citizen’s Kruszewski wins 6 VPC awards

Henrico Citizen Managing Editor Patty Kruszewski won six awards in the Virginia Professional Communicators 2023 communications contest, including two first-place entries that advanced to the National Federation of Press Women competition.

Awards were announced at the VPC spring conference, held May 5 in Fredericksburg.

Kruszewski won a first place award for specialty articles in the style category for her story "MRVA tours highlight modern design," about a home and a public library explored on Modern Richmond tours. Judges praised the story as "well-written and organized; outstanding history and background of the homes [woven] into reporting on the tours."  She also won a first place for specialty articles about education for the story "Students delve into buried history," about Maggie Walker students who investigated student perceptions regarding racism and lack of inclusivity at the school and prepared an in-depth report of ways that school administration was addressing the issue.

In the feature story category, Kruszewski took second place with the story "Long past NBA Days, Newman racks up awards," about former University of Richmond and NBA star Johnny Newman and his service to the community through the Henrico Police Athletic League and other organizations.

Two of Kruszewski's Plate & Goblet columns, "Lightening the booze" and "Recapping the food and beverage expo," won awards in the informational columns category, including a third place and an honorable mention.  Judges praised the columns' "amusing anecdotes, welcome perspective, and . . charming honesty that adds voice and authenticity to this person-about-town narrative.  The column entertainingly covers a lot of ground in short space."

In the specialty articles social issues category, Kruszewski won another honorable mention for the story "Advocates gear up for walk to end it."

"A good balance of personal story and exploration of an issue. Nicely done," wrote the judges.

Among other VPC members to win honors were Joan Tupponce of Glen Allen, and Karen Schwartzkopf and Scott Schwartzkopf of Henrico.  The Schwartzkopfs each won three awards, and Tupponce took eight awards, including four first places.

Tupponce also won the VPC Sweepstakes, which is given to the award recipient with the most first, second, and third place entries.