Ledger earns seven South Carolina Press Association awards

HUGHES

The Gaffney Ledger received seven awards Friday for reporting and page design in the 2007 South Carolina Press Association contest.

The contest offers an opportunity for journalists from the state's weekly and daily newspapers to enter their best work. The 3,700 contest entries were judged by members of the West Virginia Press Association.

The awards were presented during the SCPA's winter meeting at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Spartanburg.

Lifestyle Editor Laura Parker and Education Reporter Scott Powell won first place honors.

Parker won first place in Feature Page Design. She was recognized for feature pages titled "Dogs of War," "Blacksburg's Art Alive Ministries," and "Culture Shock," a feature about Blacksburg High graduate Adam Kirby's year studying abroad in Spain.

"Strong use of art and clean type make the pages snap," judges wrote.

Parker received second place in general Page Design for her work in the September 26, 2007 issue of the Gaffney Ledger.

Powell won first place in Lifestyle Feature Writing. He was recognized for his story on Blacksburg's Art Alive Ministries.

PARKER

"Excellent writing. Powell hooks the reader with a powerful lead, then crafts a well-researched and thoughtful story about one woman's mission to help children," judges wrote.

Powell was awarded second place in education reporting.

Features writer Joe Hughes was awarded second place in feature writing for his article entitled "Crazy - Movie chronicles life of legendary local musician." Hughes earned third place in health reporting for his story about the drug Xanax.

Publisher Cody Sossamon received a second place award for humor column writing.

POWELL SOSSAMON