Virginia Professional Communicators, formerly Virginia Press Women, honored 31 winners in its annual communications contest in Norfolk this past May. Judges doled out awards for work published in 2014 in such categories as newspaper and magazine writing, public relations, advertising, photography, and book and screenplay writing.

KJ Mushung initially won seven statewide awards for her work in two online newspapers, PotomacLocal.com and NOVAfortnightly.com. Mushung is the publisher and training director for NOVA Fortnightly and has served Potomac Local in multiple capacities, most recently as the Fredericksburg Regional Editor. Mushung placed first for writing for the web as well as website edited or managed by entrant in the nonprofit, government or educational category. She was awarded second place for news story and feature story, both in the online publication category. She also won third place for news story in the online category, and received honorable mention for online news story writing and for single photograph in the news or feature photo category.

First-place winners of the statewide VPC contest advanced to the National Federation of Press Women’s nationwide communications contest, which was judged this summer. The annual NFPW communications contest rewards excellence in communication in a wide range of categories, with entries judged by leaders in their fields of expertise.

The NFPW awarded Mushung with third place for website edited or managed by entrant in her respective category.

Mushung has won national media awards before. Two years ago, she was honored for her editing skills when she placed third in the nation for publications regularly edited by entrant from the NFPW. And in 2010, Mushung won a gold award (first place) from Parenting Publications of America in the editorial division, special series category, for a series of articles published in 2009 on proposed changes to special education regulations.

By: NOVA Fortnightly Staff

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