The Smithfield Times earned 24 awards in the Virginia Press Association’s 2021 news and advertising contest.

The awards, traditionally given during a banquet at VPA’s annual meeting, were announced virtually April 25-28 for the third year in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Recognition by our peers for outstanding journalism is gratifying,” said Times Publisher Steve Stewart. “We are blessed to chronicle a vibrant community full of engaged citizens who appreciate a newspaper’s important role. We do what we do in service to our readers, and when recognition comes our way as a result, we’re honored.”

The Smithfield Times competes in the VPA’s Non-Daily 2 category against other non-daily papers throughout the state that have total paid print circulation between 2,300 and 4,999.

The awards were judged by journalists and advertising professionals from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.

Reporter Stephen Faleski won 10 awards, including four first-place honors.

“Stephen is one of the brightest young journalists I’ve worked with in four decades editing and publishing community newspapers,” Stewart added. “His long list of VPA honors is no surprise to me.”

Publisher Steve Stewart won first place in Editorial Writing, and Publisher Emeritus John Edwards won first place in Column Writing for his weekly “In the Short Rows.” Designer Jen Jaqua won two first-place awards, as did former reporter Nate Delesline III. 

Lindsay Richardson, regional director of advertising, won first place and second place in the Member Self-Promotion advertising category. Multi-media specialist Dana Snow won third place in advertising in the Lifestyles category.

Below is a list of the winning entries, which were published Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2021.

First Place

• Breaking News Photo – Stephen Faleski
• Photo Illustration – Jen Jaqua
• General News Photo – Stephen Faleski
• Member Self-Promotion – Lindsay Richardson
• Business and Financial Writing – Nate Delesline III
• Public Notice Story – Stephen Faleski
• Illustrations – Jen Jaqua
• Editorial Writing – Steve Stewart
• Column Writing – John Edwards
• General News Writing – Stephen Faleski, Tracy Agnew
• Sports Writing Portfolio – Nate Delesline III

Second Place

• Member Self-Promotion – Lindsay Richardson
• Personality or Portrait Photo – Jen Jaqua
• Health, Science and Environmental Writing – Stephen Faleski
• Education Writing – Nate Delesline III
• Government Writing – Stephen Faleski
• Feature Writing Portfolio – Nate Delesline III
• Combination Picture and Story – Jen Jaqua, Stephen Faleski
• Sports Writing Portfolio – Titus Mohler

Third Place

• Sports News Photo – Stephen Faleski
• Special Sections or Special Editions – Tracy Agnew, Nate Delesline III, Stephen Faleski, Jen Jaqua
• Government Writing – Stephen Faleski
• Lifestyles – Dana Snow
• Public Safety Writing – Nate Delesline III