2023 S.C. Press Association Annual Meeting & Awards Program

ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS presented by:

March 9-10, 2023 Cooperative Conference Center Columbia, South Carolina

SINCE 1852

Local News. Local People. Locally Owned.

Congratulations

to The People-Sentinel’s team on earning

15 awards

in the 2022 S.C. Press Association News Contest including

1st place General Excellence (Weekly Under 3,000)

Jonathan Vickery Publisher & Owner 6 Individual Awards

Alexandra Whitbeck Reporter 7 Individual Awards

Proudly serving Barnwell County and its neighbors!

In Print & Online - www.thepeoplesentinel.com

Thanks Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

Diamond

Public Notice Illinois | PlacePublicNotice.com | Advanced Contest Entry System

Platinum

Gold

Harrison Radeker Smith

&

P.A.

AT T OR N E YS AT LAW

Silver

Training Training

FOUNDATION

SMOAK FUND

March 9, 2023

SCHEDULE Thursday, March 9 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Registration, Sponsor Tables and News Contest Winners’ Exhibits Open Gallery-Reception 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Family-Owned Newspaper Retreat Classroom 1-2 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Executive Committee Meeting Classroom 1-2 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Kick-off Cookout Party Ballroom Salon C and Outdoor Patio

Friday, March 10 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Registration, Sponsor Tables and News Contest Winners’ Exhibits Open Gallery-Reception 10 – 11 a.m.

Counselors Off The Cuff Classroom 1-2 Join attorneys Taylor Smith, Jay Bender, Dr. Eric Robinson and Carl Muller for a discussion on the legal, First Amendment

and open government issues you’re facing.

11 – 11:45 a.m.

SCPA Business Meeting, Election of Officers & Forum to discuss digital membership Classroom 1-2 Noon – 2:15 p.m.

Awards Luncheon and Hall of Fame Induction Ballroom Salon A-B Honoring winners of the 2022 Daily, Weekly & Associate/Individual Member Contests

S.C. Journalism Hall of Fame Induction

• Scott Hunter | 1949-2018 | Aiken Standard

• Louis C. Sossamon | 1921-2019 | The Gaffney Ledger 2:15 – 4:30 p.m.

President’s Reception and Toast to the Winners

Ballroom Salon A-B and Outdoor Patio Following the Awards Presentation, SCPA will toast the winners during a beer, wine and soft drink reception

on the patio! Each registrant has a drink ticket in the back of your nametag. Additional drinks can be purchased

for $4 (cash only). Stick around to reconnect with old friends and make new connections with your newspaper peers!

2:15 – 3 p.m.

How did they do it? Show & Tell of the winners Classroom 1-2

Want to learn more about the 2022 News Contest winners or give background on the work you’re most proud of? Join

us for an informal “Show and Tell” discussion of the winning writing, photography, design and digital winners. This is a

great space if you’re looking for tricks of the trade, new ideas or ways to master your craft!

-30In memory of those we’ve lost over the past year: George W. Salsberry | April 16, 2022 | Former Reporter, The Press & Standard Kenneth W. Baldwin, Jr. | June 13, 2022 | Former Sports Editor, Index-Journal; Former Sports Reporter, The Columbia Record Ivy F. Moore | June 26, 2022 | Former Features Editor and Writer, The Sumter Item Joseph William Sitarz Jr. | June 28, 2022 | Former Features Editor and Sports Writer, Index-Journal Marc DeLane Brown | July 13, 2022 | Co-Owner and Associate Publisher, Laurens County Advertiser Barbara Ann Hill | Sept. 10, 2022 | Former Features Editor, Summerville Journal Scene Dr. John William Click | Sept. 15, 2022 | Former Chair, Winthrop University Department of Mass Communication Cecile Holmes | Sept. 29, 2022 | Former Journalism Instructor, University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications; Former Religion Reporter and Editor Eddie Litaker | Oct. 9, 2022 | Sports Stringer and Former Sports Reporter, The Sumter Item; Former Editor, The Manning Times Donia Campbell Coward Malone | Oct. 19, 2022 | Former Co-Owner, Belton-Honea Path News-Chronicle James Harold Rogers | Nov. 4, 2022 | Former Sports Editor, Index-Journal; Former Editor, Easley Progress; Former Columnist, The Pickens Sentinel; Former Contributor, The Greenville News Margaret Ann Thomas | Nov. 2022 | Former Owner, The News and Press; President, S.C. Press Association Women's Division, 1952 Ed Scanlon | Dec. 26, 2022 | Columnist, The Aiken Leader Steve Robertson | Dec. 31, 2022 | Owner, President and Retired Publisher, The Horry Independent, Myrtle Beach Herald, Carolina Forest Chronicle and The Loris Scene; President, S.C. Press Association, 1998 Gregory Yee | Jan. 4, 2023 | Former Reporter, The Post and Courier Tommy Martin | Jan. 8, 2023 | Editor and Publisher, The Cherokee Chronicle; Former Reporter, Sports Editor and Editor, The Gaffney Ledger; Former Cherokee County Bureau Chief, Herald-Journal Bill R. Gibbons | Jan. 27, 2023 | Former Editor, Managing Editor, Sports Editor and Staff Writer, The Gaffney Ledger; President, S.C. Press Association, 1980 Frank McComas | Feb. 13, 2023 | Former Publisher, The State; Retired Chief Operating Officer, Knight Ridder Newspapers William Light "Bill" Kinney, Jr. | Feb. 19, 2023 | Editor and Publisher Emeritus, Marlboro Herald-Advocate, McColl Messenger and The Marlboro Shopper; Former President, Marlboro Publishing Co. Inc.; President, S.C. Press Association, 1972; Past President and Board Member, S.C. Press Association Foundation; Founder of the S.C. Press Association Journalism Hall of Fame

MEETING INFO VISIT THE REGISTRATION DESK:

• Pick up a program, your nametag and other goodies!

• Find out where to go... Most sessions are in Classroom 1-2 and the Awards Celebration Luncheon is in Ballroom A-B. • Ask questions about SCPA services like press IDs, SLED Checks, how to sign up for the weekly eBulletin newsletter and more!

IN THE GALLERY-RECEPTION:

• Meet our awesome sponsors by visiting their tables!

• Browse the winners exhibit. Can't find your wins? All winners are displayed. Ask an SCPA staff member to help!

• Take photos with your awards. Make sure to tag us!

BEVERAGES:

The coffee and water station is in Classroom 1-2, the location of our training sessions and business meetings.

THANKS to the SCPA Foundation Smoak Fund for sponsoring this event!

We've already hosted some great training events in 2023 but would love your ideas for upcoming news and advertising sessions (in person and virtual). Please email jmadden@scpress.org to let us know what topics and speakers interest you!

CELEBRATING

100 YEARS

OF EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM EDUCATION

Learn more about our programs at sc.edu/cic

HALL OF FAME The S.C. Journalism Hall of Fame was established in 1973 to recognize and honor men and women who have excelled in their craft and made significant contributions to journalism and their communities. Roughly 80 newspaper journalists – from the 1700s to the present – have been chosen by their peers for this recognition.

The S.C. Hall of Fame began in 1972 when SCPA President William L. Kinney Jr., of Bennettsville, acting on a suggestion from Secretary-Manager Reid H. Montgomery, set in motion activities that led to the establishment of a S.C. Press Association Hall of Fame.

1973: Elizabeth Timothy (-1757) South Carolina Gazette

1983: Wood Davidson Grist (1865-1925) Yorkville Enquirer; Atlanta Constitution

1993: Hubert Duvall Osteen (1904-1987) The Item, Sumter

1973: Francis W. Dawson (1840-1899) The Charleston Mercury; The Charleston News; The News and Courier, Charleston

1983: Hall Thomas McGee (1889-1963) Charleston Evening Post; The News and Courier, Charleston 1983: Edmund A. Ramsaur (1925-1976) The Greenville News; Greenville Piedmont

1993: Miles Benjamin McSweeney (1855-1909) The Ninety-Six Guardian; Hampton County Guardian

1974: Narciso G. Gonzales (1858-1903) The State; The News and Courier; Charleston Journal of Commerce 1974: Bony Hampton Peace (1874-1934) Carolina Spartan, Spartanburg; The Greenville News; Greenville Piedmont 1974: Peter Timothy (1721-1782) South Carolina Gazette 1974: Aaron Smith Willington (1781-1862) The Charleston Courier 1975: William Watts Ball (1868-1952) The Evening Post; The Greenville News; Laurens Advertiser; The News and Courier; The State 1975: Arthur B. Jordan Sr. (1876-1956) The Dillon Herald 1975: James Rion McKissick (1884-1944)Times-Democrat, Richmond, Va.; The Greenville News; Greenville Piedmont 1976: Hubert Graham Osteen (1870-1955) Watchman and Southron, Sumter; Sumter Daily Item 1976: Edward Hope DeCamp (1865-1952) The Gaffney Ledger; The State, Columbia 1977: Arthur M. Manigault (1851-1924) The Evening Post, Charleston 1978: Harold C. Booker Sr. (1888-1960) Spartanburg Herald-Journal; Greenville Piedmont; The Sumter Daily Item; The Columbia Record 1978: Charles Oscar Hearon (1876-1959) The Spartanburg Herald; Herald, Bristol, Va.; Times, Richmond, Va. 1979: Robert Lathan (1881-1937) The News and Courier, Charleston; The State, Columbia; Asheville (NC) Citizen; 1924 Pulitzer Prize Winner 1980: Tom O’Connor (1902-1969) Hampton County Guardian; Allendale County Citizen

1983: James Loyal Sims (1914-1962) The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg 1984: James Edward Chaffin (1913-1977) The Index-Journal, Greenwood 1984: Ambrose E. Gonzales (1857-1926) The State, Columbia; The News and Courier, Charleston 1984: William E. Gonzales (1866-1937) The State, Columbia 1985: William R. Bradford Sr. (1874-1957) The Fort Mill Times; The State, Columbia 1985: Elbert Herman Aull (1857-1929) The Newberry Herald and News 1985: Ernest Allen Cutts (1912-1980) Charleston Evening Post 1986: Noah Graham Osteen (1843-1936) The Item, Sumter 1986: Phil Buchheit (1907-1978) Spartanburg Herald-Journal 1986: R. Frank Mundy (1915-1982) The Index-Journal, Greenwood 1986: Samuel L. Latimer Jr. (1891-1975) The State, Columbia 1986: Harry L. Watson (1876-1956) The Index-Journal, Greenwood 1987: Robert Melvin Hitt (1886-1963) Bamberg Herald 1987: John Kelly Sisk (1913-1980) Greenville News-Piedmont 1987: Wilson William Harris (1889-1955) The Clinton Chronicle 1987: William Light Kinney (1902-1983) Marlboro Herald-Advocate, Bennettsville

1980: Louis W. Cassels (1921-1974) United Press International

1988: Talbot Patrick (1897-1980) Chicago Evening Post; The Goldsboro (NC) News-Argus; The Herald, Rock Hill

1981: Robert Craft Peace (1899-1968) The Greenville News

1988: Frank Wilmore Sossamon (1887-1979) The Gaffney Ledger

1981: George A. Buchanan (1898-1976) The Columbia Record; Dean of Journalism, USC

1989: Paul S. League (1920-1978) The Lancaster News

1982: Robert M. Hitt, Jr. (1914-1968) Bamberg Herald; Charleston Evening Post 1982: W.W. Smoak (1877-1947) Press & Standard, Walterboro

1989: Edward Manigault (1896-1983) Charleston Evening Post 1990: Edd A. Burch (1907-1985) Greer Citizen

1995: Thomas Pettigrew Davis (1926-1990) Georgetown Times 1995: James A. Rogers (1905-1990) Florence Morning News 1996: William D. Workman (1914-1990) The News and Courier, Charleston; The Greenville News; The State, Columbia 1998: Joseph F. Smoak (1936-1993) The News and Courier, Charleston; Charleston Evening Post 1998: Marcellus C. Garner (1920-1992) The Sun News, Myrtle Beach; The Myrtle Beach News; The Myrtle Beach Sun; The Field, Conway; The Horry Herald; The Loris Sentinel 1999: Reid H. Montgomery (1909-1993) The State, Columbia; The Item, Sumter; Winthrop College; University of South Carolina; South Carolina Press Association 2002: August Kohn (1868-1930) The News and Courier, Charleston 2002: Annie Laurie Mayer Kinney (1902–1999) Marlboro Herald-Advocate 2003: Annie Howell King (1893-1973) Aiken Standard 2005: William E. Rone (1926-1998) The State, Columbia 2005: Alfred B. Williams (1856-1930) News and Courier, Charleston 2007: Dr. Robert Wilson Gibbes (1809-1866) The South Carolinian 2008: Felix Gregory de Fontaine (1834-1896) Charleston Daily Courier, The South Carolinian; Daily South Carolinian; New York Herald 2009: Robert Quillen (1887-1948) Fountain Inn Tribune 2010: Henry Timrod (1829-1867) Charleston Mercury 2011: William Gilmore Simms (1806-1870) Charleston City Gazette, Daily South Carolinian, The Phoenix 2011: Charles H. Wickenberg Jr. (1923-2004) The State 2012: Peter Manigault (1927-2004) The News and Courier, Charleston

2012: Benjamin F. Perry (1805-1886) Greenville Mountaineer; Southern Patriot, Greenville 2012: Robert Ashe Pierce (1928-2007) The State, Columbia 2013: Col. Thomas Bissell Crews (1832-1911) The Laurensville Herald, Laurens 2014: John Miller (1744-1807) The South Carolina Gazette and Daily Advertiser 2015: Samuel A. Cothran (1915-2010) Aiken Standard and Review 2015: Wilton E. Hall (1901-1980) Anderson Independent 2016: Henry F. Cauthen Sr. (1901-1977) The State, The Columbia Record, The News & Courier 2018: Lewis Timothy (1699-1738) The South Carolina Gazette 2019: John C. Shurr (1947-2015) S.C. Associated Press Bureau Chief 2020: Ken Burger (1949-2015) The Post and Courier 2021: Dean B. Livingston (1933-2014) The Times and Democrat 2021: John Henry McCray (19101987) Lighthouse and Informer 2023: Scott Beale Hunter (1949-2018) Aiken Standard 2023: Louis C. Sossamon (1921-2019) The Gaffney Ledger

If you have a Hall of Fame nominee, contact SCPA for eligibility and citation requirements.

Deadline to submit a 2024 Hall of Fame nomination: Dec. 1, 2023

South Carolina Press Association

Hall of

Fame

Scott B. Hunter 1949-2018

40-Year Career at the Aiken Standard (1973-2013) Scott Beale Hunter began his journalism career in 1973 as a sports writer for the Aiken Standard and rose through the ranks to become one of the longest serving daily newspaper publishers in South Carolina.

A native of Rockville, Maryland, Hunter graduated from the University of South Carolina and earned his Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina’s School of Journalism.

From sports writer, he was promoted to sports editor for the Standard, working hard to ensure that all the local high schools received coverage. Publisher Sam Cothran took note of Hunter’s ambition and work ethic, naming him news editor.

Hunter quickly rose to the positions of managing editor, editor and then general manager. During his time in those leadership positions, the Aiken Standard went from a five-day-a-week to a six-day publication.

During his tenure, he helped lead the Aiken Standard from the days of typewriters and paste-up to computers and pagination. He was heavily involved in the newspaper’s installation of computer systems and helped teach staff how to use the new technology.

Following Cothran’s retirement in 1989, Hunter was elevated to publisher of the newspaper, a title he held until his retirement in December 2013.

Early in his role as publisher, the newspaper became a seven-daya-week enterprise.

Hunter was also president of Aiken Communications Inc., which owned the local newspaper. As publisher he was instrumental in the company’s acquisition of North Augusta’s weekly newspaper, The Star, from its longtime owners Sam and Mim Woodring.

Hunter served as President of the South Carolina Press Association in 1995. He also served as President of the S.C. Press Association Foundation and was a Foundation Board Member from 2012-2018.

He was known throughout the state as a mentor who offered insight, wisdom and encouragement to generations of news industry employees.

“Scott was a wonderful publisher and community leader,” said

Ellen Priest who worked with Hunter for more than 20 years and succeeded him as publisher of the Aiken Standard. “He never forgot our obligation to the community to hold our elected officials accountable, and he always provided fair and balanced coverage.”

Hunter was also involved in a variety of civic organizations. He was an active member and elder at Aiken’s First Presbyterian Church. He served on and chaired the boards of the United Way of Aiken County, the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons, First Steps and the Etherredge Center Orchestra. He also chaired the Child Advocacy Center board and served as co-chair of Stand Up for the Children, the capital campaign for Children’s Place. Hunter served as president of the Rotary Club of Aiken and the Aiken Kiwanis Club. He chaired the City of Aiken’s Arts and Culture Committee during the 1993 strategic planning process, and was a member of Aiken’s All-America City Committee in 1997.

In 1997 Hunter was named Volunteer of the Year by the United Way of Aiken County. In 1998 he was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award from USC Aiken, and in 2011 he was named the Man of the Year by the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce. He was also presented with the South Carolina Order of the Silver Crescent during his retirement ceremony.

Hunter was married to Lois McFadden-Hunter until her passing in 2009, and together they raised their daughter Eleanor Hunter.

“Scott was, above all, the quintessential gentleman,” said Pierre Manigault, chairman of the Board of Evening Post Industries. “He was also one of the best all-around newspaper publishers I’ve known.

Behind the impeccable manners and gentle ways was a journalist and businessman with great instincts and the amazing ability to seemingly always make the right decision.”

Hunter never failed to give back to his community or to those in need. The S.C. Press Association recognizes Hunter for his lasting legacy, leadership and service to the Aiken community, the Palmetto State and the newspaper industry.

South Carolina Press Association

Hall of

Fame

Louis Cody Sossamon 1921-2019

Publisher of The Gaffney Ledger (1969-1999) Louis Sossamon began his journalism career in 1949 when he joined his father at The Gaffney Ledger as advertising manager.

He graduated from Gaffney High School in 1938 and from the University of South Carolina in 1943, where he was president of the student body, a member of the Blue Key Honor Society and USC’s first AP All-American football player. He served in the United States Navy from 1943-1945 and played professional football for the New York Yankees (All-America Football Conference – later merged with NFL) for three years before returning to Gaffney in 1949.

Although his title was “advertising manager,” Sossamon wrote numerous front page editorials excoriating public officials for underhanded activities ranging from deal making by school officials to selective enforcement of laws and criminal activity by law enforcement officials.

Sossamon purchased the newspaper from his father in 1969. In 1974, he built a facility on W. Floyd Baker Boulevard to house The Ledger offices and printing plant.

In 1962, Sossamon received the first ever South Carolina Press Association and Associated Press News Council Freedom of Information Award. A press release at that time read in part: “Mr. Sossamon’s recognition resulted from his determined public discussion of the Cherokee County Grand Jury’s involvement in a local school issue, even though he had been subpoenaed by the jury and threatened with indictment. He writes a front page column for the Gaffney newspaper.”

In another example, the Cherokee County Sheriff threatened to sue Sossamon for an editorial accusing the sheriff of tipping off owners of slot machines about an upcoming SLED raid. The threatened lawsuit never materialized.

Sossamon led The Gaffney Ledger to numerous national and state awards for reporting, including coverage of the infamous “Gaffney

Strangler” case, which brought national attention to the small city.

Rumor has it that Sossamon threw Dan Rather of CBS fame out of The Ledger office when he was in town covering the serial killings.

During Sossamon’s tenure as publisher, the newspaper uncovered an illegal dumping scheme that led to a Superfund cleanup in the county.

Both his grandfather, Edward Hope DeCamp, who founded The Gaffney Ledger in 1894 and was publisher until 1927, and his father, F.W. Sossamon, publisher of The Gaffney Ledger from 1927-1969, are previous inductees into the S.C. Journalism Hall of Fame.

Sossamon served as President of the S.C. Press Association in 1968.

Highlights of his resume include: Junior Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, elder at Limestone Presbyterian Church, director of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Limestone College trustee, USC trustee where he was chairman of the Intercollegiate Activities committee when USC joined the SEC, past member of the State Development Board, USC Athletic Hall of Fame and State of SC Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1998, he was named a Diamond Circle Honoree by the USC College of Journalism for outstanding contributions to print journalism.

Sossamon retired in 1999 and his son Cody became publisher of The Gaffney Ledger.

In 2015, Sossamon’s granddaughter, Abbie, joined the newspaper staff, becoming the fifth generation of the Sossamon family to be associated with the newspaper.

At a reception in 2010 honoring Sossamon, USC President Harris Pastides praised him and his accomplishments before toasting him saying, “This is just a snapshot of a long, productive, wonderful life, but I believe it’s enough to earn status as THE Carolina Man. Ladies and gentleman, please join me in toasting The Honorable Louis C. Sossamon, THE Carolina Man.”

ATTENDEES Nathaniel Abraham Jr. Carolina Panorama Columbia, SC Cam Adams Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Jane Alford The Lancaster News & Carolina Gateway Lancaster, SC Macon Atkinson Greenville News Greenville, SC

Barbara Ball The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County Blythewood, SC Jim Baltzelle The Associated Press St. Augustine, FL Mac Banks The Lancaster News & Carolina Gateway Lancaster, SC Blair Barna SceneThink Charleston, SC

Tony Bartelme The Post and Courier Charleston, SC Angie Beckom Greewood, SC Mike Beckom Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Jay Bender S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC

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ATTENDEES RJ Benner Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Kathy Boyette Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Joe Bustos The State Columbia, SC

Dede Biles Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Andy Brack Charleston City Paper Charleston, SC

Richard Caines The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach, SC

Greg Booras Creative Circle Media Solutions Dahlonega, GA

Maya Brown The Sun News Myrtle Beach, SC

Ken Campell AdCellerant Clemson, SC

Josh Boucher The State Columbia, SC

PJ Browning The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

John Boyette Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Elizabeth Bush The Daniel Island News Daniel Island, SC

Kelli Carroll University of South Carolina College of Communications Columbia, SC

2022-2023 SCPA PRESIDENT

S.C. Press Association Proudly Honors

Charles Swenson for His Service to the Palmetto State's Newspapers

ATTENDEES Mandy Catoe The Lancaster News Lancaster, SC

Samantha Connors Charleston City Paper Charleston, SC

Diane Daniell Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Scott Chancey Morning News Florence, SC

Russell Cox Municipal Association of South Carolina Columbia, SC

Catherine Davenport Columbia, SC

Anne Cushman Columbia, SC

Gwinn Davis Gwinn Davis Media Simpsonville, SC

Kristin Coker The Times and Democrat Orangeburg, SC Jeffrey Collins Associated Press Columbia, SC

Debra Davenport Columbia, SC

Rechelle Dallas Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Sandi Davis Gwinn Davis Media Simpsonville, SC

Harrison Radeker Smith

&

P.A.

AT TORNEYS AT LAW

Proud to represent the South Carolina Press Association Media Law • Free Speech • Civil Rights • Criminal Law Consumer Law • Real Property • Civil Litigation • Appeals

harrisonfirm.com

PO Box 50143, Columbia SC 29250 • 803.779.2211

ATTENDEES Greg Deal Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

Gary Dotson The Island Packet Hilton Head, SC

Bryn Eddy My Horry News Conway, SC

Suzanne Detar The Daniel Island News Daniel Island, SC

Chase Duncan My Horry News Conway, SC

Cody Estremera Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

Damian Dominguez Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

Kelly Duncan Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

St. Claire Donaghy Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

Sydney Dunlap USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications

Jeff Evans Island News/ Lowcountry Weekly Beaufort, SC

Special thanks to our

Presenting Sponsor

Thank you, boss As we celebrate our team’s awards today, we do so without our strongest supporter. Steve Robertson built Waccamaw Publishers. We remain grateful for his impact on this company and our lives.

—The staff

Congratulatio

2022 President’s CuP for e

First Place

The Staff of The Post and Courier

I

Innovation: Education Lab Dashboard Reporting-in-Depth: Safety Off, a gun violence in the Lowcountry Newspaper’s Use of Social Media

T C R D O S

Second Place

The Staff of The Post and Courier

I

Election/Political Coverage Website: www.postandcourier.com

News Section or Special Edition: Power List

Third Place

The Staff of The Post and Courier Reporting-in-Depth: Mold U: Across the state and nation, mold is making college students miserable

Community Service: Uncovered

I

ons

to the s.c. press association award-winning journalists of

exCellenCe

Individual First Place winners:

Tracy Burlison Caitlin Byrd Richard Caines David Cloninger Olivia Diaz Sara Gregory

Jocelyn Grzeszczak Dave Hale Beth Harrison Maura Hogan Conor Hughes Elizabeth Hustad

Zharia Jeffries Lisa Justus Skylar Laird Gavin McIntyre Parker Milner Cindi Ross Scoppe

David Slade Henry Taylor Andrew J. Whitaker Avery G. Wilks Samantha Winn

Shamira McCray Gavin McIntyre Thad Moore and Andrew J. Whitaker Kalyn Oyer Gene Sapakoff

Cindi Ross Scoppe David Slade Emma Whalen Andrew J. Whitaker Avery G. Wilks Samantha Winn

Individual Second Place winners: Devna Bose David Clarey Rickey Dennis Mike Fitts Jocelyn Grzeszczak, Steve Garrison and Ricky Dennis

Jeff Hartsell Jennifer Berry Hawes Elizabeth Hustad Brandon Lockett Briah Lumpkins and Doug Pardue

Individual Third Place winners: Grace Beahm Alford Jon Blau Pamela Brownstein Tracy Burlison David Clarey Adrienne Fry Dave Hale

Jennifer Berry Hawes Maura Hogan Elizabeth Hustad Lisa Justus Brandon Lockett Brandon Lockett and Tony Bartelme

Shamira McCray Gavin McIntyre Thad Moore and Jennifer Berry Hawes Kalyn Oyer Gene Sapakoff Cindi Ross Scoppe David Slade

Henry Taylor Maura Turcotte Hannah Wade Andrew J. Whitaker Emily Williams Samantha Winn Nicole Ziege

ATTENDEES Margaret Evans Island News/ Lowcountry Weekly Beaufort, SC Jeannie Everett The Daniel Island News Daniel Island, SC Doug Fisher USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Retired Columbia, SC Herb Frazier Charleston City Paper Charleston, SC Sammy Fretwell The State Columbia, SC

Brian Garner The News & Reporter Chester, SC

Tracy Glantz The State Columbia, SC

Jenny Garner Chester, SC

Mary Gooch The News & Reporter Chester, SC

Ashley Ghere The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County Blythewood, SC Caleb Gilbert The Journal Seneca, SC Zach Giroux The Daniel Island News Daniel Island, SC

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Shelbie Goulding-Morin The Sumter Item Sumter, SC Dr. Tom Hallman Chancellor emeritus, USC Aiken Aiken, SC Susan Hallman Aiken, SC Win Hammond S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC Geoffrey Hardee Blythewood, SC Cliff Harrington The Herald Rock Hill, SC Rachel Hartdegen Bluffton Today Bluffton, SC

@scpress

@SCPressAssoc

@scpress

South Carolina Press Association

ATTENDEES Lee Harter The Times and Democrat Orangeburg, SC

Matthew Hensley Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

Pam Harter The Times and Democrat Orangeburg, SC

Alex Hicks Jr. Herald-Journal Spartanburg, SC

Sarah Haselhorst The Island Packet Hilton Head, SC

Stephanie Hill Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Chase Heatherly The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

Cary Howard The Sumter Item Sumter, SC

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ATTENDEES Jeff Hughes My Horry News Conway, SC Eleanor Hunter Aiken, SC Elizabeth Hustad The Post and Courier North Augusta Aiken, SC Zharia Jeffries The Post and Courier Charleston, SC Ashley Jenkins The News & Reporter Chester, SC Travis Jenkins The News & Reporter Chester, SC

Yana Johnson Heathwood Hall Episcopal School Columbia, SC Haley Jones The Lancaster News & Carolina Gateway Lancaster, SC Kathy Kausler Florence, SC Don Kausler Jr. The Kingstree News Florence, SC Andrea Kelley The Journal Seneca, SC

Meg Kinnard Associated Press Columbia, SC Ron Kline Illinois Press Association Springfield, IL Christina Knauss SC Biz News Columbia, SC Nathanial Knowles Williston, SC Zak Koeske The State Columbia, SC Kailee Kokes The Lexington County Chronicle Lexington, SC

View full winners list including

comments for First Place winners scpress.org

ATTENDEES Skylar Laird The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

Michael Lollis The Journal Williamston, SC

Jordan Lawrence The Lexington County Chronicle Lexington, SC

Ruben Lowman North Myrtle Beach Times N. Myrtle Beach, SC

Diane Leclaire S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC Jason Lee The Sun News Myrtle Beach, SC

Hank Lunn S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC Jen Madden S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC

Jeremi Madden Columbia, SC Andrea Maestre North Myrtle Beach Times N. Myrtle Beach, SC Bill Marion The News & Reporter Chester, SC James McBee The News & Reporter Chester, SC

ATTENDEES Mike McCombs Island News/ Lowcountry Weekly Beaufort, SC

Danielle McNaughton University of South Carolina College of Communications Columbia, SC

Sarah Claire McDonald The Island Packet Hilton Head, SC

Bruce Mills The Sumter Item Sumter, SC

Andy McKenna OnPremise Networks Newton, IA

Garrett Mitchell The Woodruff Times Woodruff, SC

Dwayne McLemore The State Columbia, SC

Vanessa Mitchell The Woodruff Times Woodruff, SC

John Monk The State Columbia, SC Bob Montgomery Herald-Journal Spartanburg, SC Bianca Moorman Aiken Standard Aiken, SC Dale Morefield The Lancaster News/News & Reporter/Carolina Gateway Lancaster, SC

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ATTENDEES Janet Morgan My Horry News Conway, SC Riley Morningstar The Journal Seneca, SC Betty Moses My Horry News Conway, SC Carl Muller Carl F. Muller Attorney at Law, P.A. Greenville, SC

Neal Murdaugh Ridgeland, SC Shellie Murdaugh Jasper County Sun Times Ridgeland, SC Brenda Newman Bancroft Photographer Edgefield, SC Tim O’Briant Aiken, SC

Andrew O’Byrne The Aiken Leader Wagener, SC Jack Osteen The Sumter Item/Lexington County Chronicle Sumter, SC Kyle Osteen The Sumter Item/Lexington County Chronicle Sumter, SC

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ATTENDEES Charles Perry My Horry News Conway, SC

Charles Price Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

Hanna Raskin The Food Section North Charleston, SC

Autumn Phillips The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

Mundy Price Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

Tom Reichert University of South Carolina College of Communications Columbia, SC

Tom Poland A Southern Writer Columbia, SC

Ellen Priest Aiken Standard, Retired Summerville, SC

James Pollard Associated Press Columbia, SC

Jeff Priest Summerville, SC

Mary Elizabeth Roberson AT&T Atlanta, GA Adrian Robertson My Horry News Conway, SC

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ATTENDEES Cheryl Robertson My Horry News Conway, SC Stephen Robertson My Horry News Conway, SC Eric P. Robinson School of Journalism and Mass Communications University of South Carolina Columbia, SC Marie Rocha-Tygh The Daniel Island News Daniel Island, SC Karen Rodman Columbia, SC

Bill Rogers S.C. Press Association, Retired Columbia, SC Chalmers Rogland Herald-Journal Spartanburg, SC Ken Ruinard Independent Mail Anderson, SC Sofia Sanchez The Island Packet Hilton Head, SC Randall Savely S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC

Maayan Schechter The State Columbia, SC Drake Scott Gaffney, SC Chris Segal The Sun News Myrtle Beach, SC Anna Sharpe Moultrie News Mt. Pleasant, SC Ray Sharpe S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC

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ATTENDEES Bob Simmonds Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

Kit Smith The Gaffney Ledger Columbia, SC

Abbie Sossamon The Gaffney Ledger Gaffney, SC

Gina Smith The State Columbia, SC

Taylor Smith S.C. Press Association Harrison, Radeker & Smith P.A. Columbia, SC

Cody Sossamon The Gaffney Ledger Gaffney, SC

Glenn Smith The Post and Courier Charleston, SC Joel Smith The Gaffney Ledger Columbia, SC

Chris Sokoloski Coastal Observer Pawleys Island, SC

Lou Sossamon Mt. Pleasant, SC Sherry Sossamon Gaffney, SC

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ATTENDEES Steve Stegelin Charleston City Paper Charleston, SC Michael Stern Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Charles Swenson Coastal Observer SCPA President Pawleys Island, SC Larry Taylor Aiken, SC

Lana Stover Lancaster, SC

Natalie Taylor Aiken, SC

Christian Stutts Aiken, SC

Brian Tolley The State Columbia, SC

Samantha Swann Herald-Journal Spartanburg, SC

Chris Trainor Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Deborah Tucker News-Chronicle Belton, SC Steve Tygh The Daniel Island News Daniel Island, SC Dawn Vickery The People-Sentinel Barnwell, SC

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Thanks

for all you do every day for the citizens of the Palmetto State.

We're so proud to call you our members!

S.C. Press Association & S.C. Newspaper Network Jen, Randall, Diane, Lacey, Marlene, Taylor, Jay, Ray, Hank and Win

ATTENDEES Jonathan Vickery Jeff Wallace The People-Sentinel Aiken Standard Barnwell, SC Aiken, SC

David Weissman The Sun News Myrtle Beach, SC

Richie Weber The Sumter Item Sumter, SC

Lucy Weissman Myrtle Beach, SC

Hannah Wade Free Times Columbia, SC

Hal Welch The Journal Seneca, SC

SUNSHINE WEEK March 12-18, 2023

Open government is good government.

It’s Sunshine Week, the annual celebration of access to public information. South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act – also known as the Sunshine Law – allows you to access public documents and attend public meetings.

Use the Sunshine Law to see how public officials are making decisions that affect you and your community.

Join your local newspaper in the fight to let sunshine in!

It’s your right to know.

LEARN MORE

Understand the law. Check out our Citizen’s Guide to the Freedom of Information Act. It’s available for free at scpress.org/FOI.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THIS NEWSPAPER AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRESS ASSOCIATION Defending open government for 171 years

Gabe Whisnant Greenville News Greenville, SC

Alexandra Whitbeck The People-Sentinel Barnwell, SC Richard Whiting Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Avery Wilks The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

Samantha Winn The Post and Courier North Augusta Andrew Whitaker Aiken, SC The Post and Courier Nicole Ziege Charleston, SC The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

PROUDLY SERVING THE PALMETTO STATE'S NEWSPAPERS SINCE 1852

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Visit scpress.org to download a winner's badge that you can use in your newspaper, online or on social media.

Plaque Bases SCPA has a limited number of plaque bases for your 2nd and 3rd place awards today for only $15. Visit the registration desk to purchase. After today, the cost will be $25, which includes shipping.

Reach out to SCPA if you'd like to order duplicate certificates or engraved plaques.

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Congratulations to all the winners of the SCPA 2022 News Contest. Your professionalism and commitment to excellence make South Carolina an even better place in which to live and work. © 2023 AT&T Intellectual Property. AT&T and Globe logo are registered trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.