By Ainsley Hall, The Journal
CHARLESTON — The Journal and the Shepherdstown Chronicle were recognized at the 2025 West Virginia Press Association’s annual convention after receiving first- and second-place awards for General Excellence in Divisions II and IV respectively. The convention took place in Charleston where newspaper staffers from all over the state gathered to celebrate and recognize journalists’ dedication to their craft.
This year both The Journal and the Shepherdstown Chronicle had a successful year. In addition to earning the General Excellence, The Journal brought home 26 individual awards. The Chronicle also received 15 awards in Division IV. The Journal’s Managing Editor Toni Milbourne attended the conference to accept on behalf of both papers.
“It is always an honor to be recognized at the West Virginia Press Awards, and it was even more so this year to receive first place in our circulation division,” Milbourne said. “I am extremely proud of the hard work done by our Journal staff that led to the receipt of 26 individual awards as well as the first-place designation.”
Newspapers are split into four main divisions according to the circulation number. Division I is for daily papers with over 16,000 in circulation, Division II is for daily papers with under 16,000, Division III is for weekly papers over 4,000 in circulation, while Division IV is for weekly papers with under 4,000. All the entries were published during the 2024 calendar year.
Awards for the Journal in 2025 included:
1st place—Eric Jones, best lifestyle pages
1st place—Elle Colbert, best sports photography
1st place—Rick Kozlowski, best sports columnist
1st place—Journal staff, best front page
1st place–Journal staff, best single issue
2nd place—Journal staff, best newspaper design
2nd place—Toni Milbourne, best lifestyle pages
2nd place—Journal staff, best front page
2nd place—Elle Colbert, best photographer/videographer
2nd place—Toni Milbourne, best feature photography
2nd place—Elle Colbert, best sports photography
2nd place—Toni Milbourne, best news photography
2nd place—Rick Kozlowski, best sports news and feature reporting
2nd place—Bob O’Connor, best lifestyle columnist
2nd place—Toni Milbourne, best lifestyles feature
2nd place—Eric Jones, best business, economic or labor reporting
2nd place—Toni Milbourne, best governmental affairs reporting
2nd place—Toni Milbourne, best coverage of breaking news
3rd place—Elle Colbert, best coverage of breaking news
3rd place—Tom Markland, best legal affairs reporting
3rd place—Toni Milbourne, best news feature
3rd place—Toni Milbourne, best lifestyle columnist
3rd place—Elle Colbert, best sports columnist
3rd place—Toni Milbourne, best lifestyle pages
3rd place—Journal staff, best newspaper design
Shepherdstown Chronicle awards included:
1st place—Tabitha Johnston, best in-depth or investigative reporting
1st place—Tabitha Johnston, best business economic or labor reporting
1st place—Donna Joy, best news columnist
1st place—Bob Madison, best sports event reporting
1st place—Tabitha Johnston, reporting generated from public notice
2nd place—Bob Madison, best sports columnist
2nd place—Tabitha Johnston, news photography
2nd place—David Pennock, sports photography
2nd place—Tabitha Johnston, David Pennock, photo essay
2nd place—Tabitha Johnston, best headline writing
2nd place—Tabitha Johnston, service to the community
3rd place—Tabitha Johston, best legal affairs reporting
3rd place—John Doyle, best news columnist
3rd place—Donna Joy, best lifestyle columnist
3rd place—David Pennock, photo essay
Other first place winners included the Charleston Gazette-Mail in Division I, The Times Record & Roane County Reporter in Division III and the Doddridge Independent in Division IV. The WVPA also recognized Interim Executive Director Doug Skaff, Jr. following his passing this last June.
