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The Suffolk News-Herald has been honored with the 2024 Grand Sweepstakes Award from the Virginia Press Association (VPA) for the best overall newspaper in its classification. SNH was also recognized with the Advertising Grand Sweepstakes.

The awards were presented at VPA’s annual awards banquet, which was held on Saturday, April 12, at the Omni Richmond Hotel. The Oregon News Publishers Association (ONPA) judged this year’s VPA entries. 

The Suffolk News-Herald competes in the VPA’s Non-Daily 4 category against other non-daily papers that have circulations above 9,000 throughout the state. Suffolk Living competes in the Specialty category against all other publications in the state that publish less often than weekly or are targeted or niche publications.

First-place awards in the news and advertising contests receive three points, second-place awards receive two points, and third-place awards receive one point. The Grand Sweepstakes award combines points accrued by the newspaper in the news and advertising contests.

SNH took home 12 first-place awards, eight second-place awards, and 10 third-place awards. Jen Jaqua and Hope Rose also captured the Best in Show award. 

Suffolk Living magazine earned one first- and second-place award and four third-place awards, and designer Jen Jaqua took home the Best in Show—Specialty Photography award for the bi-monthly magazine.

Below are the awards won by the staff of the Suffolk News-Herald and Suffolk Living magazine:

Suffolk News-Herald

Here is the information from the sources organized into a list format by first, second, and third place:

First Place:

   Automotive: Terence Parham

   Headline Writing: James Robinson

   Illustrations: Jen Jaqua

   Informational Graphics: Jen Jaqua

   Member Self-Promotion: Lindsay Richardson

   Multiple Advertisers and Themed Pages: Jen Jaqua, Hope Rose

   Photo-Illustration: Ed Pugh

   Professional Services (excluding Medical/Healthcare): Terence Parham

   Professional Services (Medical and Healthcare-related only): Lindsay Richardson

   Small Space Ads: Lindsay Richardson

   Special Sections or Special Editions: Ed Pugh, Jen Jaqua, James Robinson

Second Place:

   Digital Advertising: Lindsay Richardson

   Home and Garden: Lindsay Richardson

   Member Self-Promotion: Lindsay Richardson

   Photo-Illustration: Ed Pugh

   Photography: Jen Jaqua

   Professional Services (excluding Medical/Healthcare): Lindsay Richardson

   Professional Services (Medical and Healthcare-related only): Terence Parham

Third Place:

   Automotive: Lindsay Richardson

   Digital Advertising: Lindsay Richardson

   General News Photo: Jen Jaqua

   Home and Garden: Terence Parham

   Illustrations: Jen Jaqua

   Photo-Illustration: Ed Pugh

   Professional Services (excluding Medical/Healthcare): Terence Parham

   Special Sections (Standalone section non-slick cover): Lindsay Richardson, Terence Parham, Hope Rose

   Sports Pages: Jen Jaqua, Ed Pugh

Suffolk Living Magazine

First Place:

   Personality or Portrait Photo: Jen Jaqua

Second Place:

   Real Estate: Lindsay Richardson

   Page Design: Jen Jaqua

   Picture Story or Essay: Jen Jaqua

   Public Affairs Writing: James Robinson

Third Place

   Real Estate: Lindsay Richardson