A long with journalists from all corners of the state, I attended the Kentucky Press Association’s “Excellence in Kentucky Newspapers” awards banquet last Friday, held at the Hyatt ballroom in Lexington.
What a night for the News Journal staff. As they have done for years, their journalistic entries in the contest won another “General Excellence” award.
There are 27 categories, such as Best General News Story, Best Sports Story, Best Sports Picture, and more, for entries. The News Journal staff won 26 awards, thus earning the top award for large weekly newspapers.
I had not attended the awards banquet for the last several years, and I wanted to be there in my retirement year. I am so proud of the staff.
Imagine sitting in a big ballroom and hearing the names Trevor Sherman, Mark White and Timothy Wyatt called out over and over for first place in category after category. It was thrilling.
The final award was for weekly newspapers’ Journalist of the Year and our new publisher, Trevor Sherman, won the honor. We were overjoyed. When Trevor returned to our table with the award he looked at Mark White and said, “Your name should be on this award, because you’ve taught me so much about journalism.”
I am so glad he said that, because Mark is the “dean of journalists” in southeast Kentucky. He is the leader of our news staff, and he has over 30 years of experience covering the news of this area.
It never ceases to amaze me when the News Journal wins the top honors at the KPA awards banquet. We’ve been doing this for 37 years, and I hope our readers appreciate the accomplishments of their hometown newspaper. No other newspaper in our division comes close to winning the number of awards that our news staff has won. I am most proud of this.
Although I’m retired now, I understand the struggle to continue this outstanding coverage of local news. We appreciate your support by subscribing and advertising.
I know what I was good at as publisher… it was hiring good people. Not only is the news staff the best, but also the circulation, composition and advertising staff is the best of any newspaper. Linda Carpenter, Jennifer Benfield and Melissa Hudson are incredible.
Had it not been because of health reasons I would never have wanted to leave these wonderful people. I still drop by the office and Trevor allows me space for a column. I remind you that we are living in the glory days of print journalism and it can only continue with your support!
