Journalism Awards

Journalism Awards

Valley Central Teachers Association

Former VCTA Newsletter Editor, Patti Lunden (July 1999 to June 2006), received New York Teacher Journalism Award honors at the 2006 Representative Assembly in Rochester. From left to right: Maria Neira, NYSUT Fist Vice President; Richard Steger, VCTA Vice President; Richard Ianuzzi, NYSUT President; Patricia Lunden, VCTA Vice President; Timothy Brown, VCTA President; Ivan Tiger, NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer; and Kathleen Donahue, NYSUT Second Vice President. Meghan Rilley (July 2006 to present) the current VCTA Newsletter Editor, has continued this tradition of excellence.

Journalism Awards (1999 to Present)

2008 (AFTCN) American Federation of Teachers Communications Network Awards

First Place; Best Editorial or Column; "Teacher Tenure Under Fire," Volume 9, Issue 5, April 2007

First Place; Best Original Illustration or Photo; September 2007 Cover―"Putting Children Center," Volume 10, Issue 1, September 2007

Second Place; General Excellence―Publications (Print); VC Echoes

Second Place; Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign); Annual Kindergarten Letter

Third Place; Best Feature Story; "Negotiating for Tomorrow," Volume 10, Issue 3, December 2007

2008 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

First Award, Best Original Cartoon, "Is Valley Central a Violent Place?" Volume 9, Issue 1, September 2006

Award of Merit, General Excellence, Volume 9, Issue 5, April 2007

Award of Merit, Best Front Page/Cover, "US Congress Candidate John Hall Puts Children Center," Volume 9, Issue 2, October 2006

Award of Merit, Best Feature Story, "Remembering Ernie Pettine," Volume 9, Issue 3, December 2006

Award of Merit, Best Article on Health Issues, "Got Stress...?" Volume 9, Issue 4, February 2007

Award of Merit, Best News Story, "Fair Contracts Approved for Paraprofessionals and CSEA," Volume 9, Issue 4, February 2007

Award of Merit, New Members' Issue, "When 'Satisfactory' is Unacceptable," Volume 9, Issue 5, April 2007

2007 (AFTCN) American Federation of Teachers Communications Network Awards

First Award; Best Layout/Graphics; John Hall Cover Page; Volume 9, Issue 2, October 2006

Award of Merit; Best Editorial, "Charter Schools are not Smarter Schools," Volume 8, Issue 4, February 2006

Honorable Mention, Best Feature Story, "Remembering Ernie Pettine," Volume 9, Issue 3, December 2006

Honorable Mention, Best Art or Photo, VADIR Cartoon, Volume 9, Issue 2, September 2006

Award of Merit, Unique Performance, New Member Booklet by Patti Lunden & Rich Steger

Award of Merit, Best Website

2007 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

First Award, Best Feature Story, "VCTA Loses an Icon: Penny Centers," Volume 8, Issue 6, June 2006, Special Retiree Edition

First Award, New Member Issues - "What Difference Does It Make?" Volume 8, Issue 4, February 2006

2006 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

Honorable Mention, Best Editorial or Column, "Parting Shots," Volume 7, Issue 7, June 2005

Honorable Mention, New Members' Issues, "The First Years of Teaching," Volume 7, Issue 2, October 2004

2005 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

Award of Merit, Best Article on Health Issues, "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer," Volume 7, Issue 1, September 2004

Honorable Mention, Best Editorial or Column, "No Soldier Left Behind," Volume 6, Issue 5, April 2004

Honorable Mention, Best Feature Story, "Jim Lignori Will Continue His Quest," Volume 6, Issue 6, June 2004, Special Retiree Edition

2003 (AFTCN) American Federation of Teachers Communications Network Awards

First Award, Best Editorial, "On Teacher Absenteeism," Volume 4, Issue 10, June 2002

2003 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

First Award, Best Article on Health Issues, "Feeling Blue," Volume 4, Issue 10, January 2002

Award of Merit, Best Original Cartoon, "Air Conditioning," Volume 4, Issue 8, April 2002

Award of Merit, Best Front Page or Cover, Volume 4, Issue 5, January 2002

2002 (AFTCA) American Federation of Teachers Communications Association Awards

Honorable Mention, Best News Story, "Terrorism Hits the High School," Volume 4, Issue 3, November 2001

2002 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

First Award, Best Original Cartoon, "Sweating the Test," Volume 3, Issue 10, June 2001

First Award, Best Article on Education Issues, "Testing at VC," Volume 3, Issue 6, February 2001

First Award, Best Article on Health, "Stress," February 2001

Honorable Mention, Best Report on Community Outreach, "Erin Davis is Part of Team in Training," Volume 3, Issue 7, March 2001

Honorable Mention, Best Feature Story, "VCTA Treasurer Honored," Volume 3, Issue 6, February 2001

2001 (AFTCA) American Federation of Teachers Communications Association Awards

Honorable Mention, Best News Story, "Kids Help Kids Learn," Volume 3, Issue 5, January 2001

Award of Merit, Best Column, "Where will all the New Teachers Come From?" Volume 3, Issue 5, January 2001

Honorable Mention, Best Layout

2001 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

Award of Merit, General Excellence, Volume 2, Issue 7, May 2000 (Special Retiree Edition), Volume 2, Issue 8, May 2000, Volume 2, Issue 9, June 2000

Award of Merit, Best Report on Community Outreach, "VCHS Celebrates Capabilities Day," Volume 2, Issue 8, May 2000

Honorable Mention, Best Article on Education Reform, "VCTA Teacher Wins International Award," Volume 2, Issue 5, March 2000

2000 (AFTCA) American Federation of Teachers Communications Association Awards

Award of Merit, Best News Story, "Laurie Miccio wins HCLC Community Service Award," Volume 2, Issue 3, November 1999

Award of Merit, Best Feature Story, "What's in a name...," Volume 2, Issue 3, November 1999

Award of Merit, Best Art or Photo, "got union," Volume 2, Issue 4, January 2000

Honorable Mention, Best Layout, Cover/Front Page, Volume 2, Issue 5, March 2000