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The Charlotte Gazette received six awards during a virtual presentation of the 2021 Virginia Press Association News and Advertising Contest Thursday.

Staff Writer Crystal Vandegrift won two first-place awards in the categories of General News Writing and Government Writing. “Outstanding coverage providing vital information to the community as well as showing the human impact of a major event. This is the best of everything local journalism should be,” the judge said of Vandegrift’s General News Writing work. Of her Government Writing, judges had this to say, “Clear, thorough coverage of complex issues.” Vandegrift also received a second-place award in the Government Writing category. Judges noted, “Thorough coverage, which is well-organized, helping readers through complexities.”

Advertising Director Jackie Newman received two first-place awards and a second-place award. In the category of Education-Churches and Organizations Newman won first-place for her Barksdale Cancer ad. In the Food and Drug category she won first-place for the Fishin’ Pig anniversary ad. The second-place award was garnered in Professional Services for the Vote Smith ad. Judges commented, “Love the ‘out of the box’ design. Clean.”

Gazette Publisher Betty Ramsey had this to say, “Crystal Vandegrift and Jackie Newman are top in their fields and so deserving of these awards. Our readers and advertisers benefit from their expertise on a daily basis. It’s very rewarding to see them recognized by their peers for excellence in both advertising and news.”