Reporters and local media outlets play an important role in public education. School division leaders rely on responsible reporting by local media representatives so that our community members receive timely information about division initiatives and programs. Considering the impact that media coverage can have on community attitudes and beliefs, the Media Honor Roll was created to recognize fair and balanced reporting about our schools and Virginia’s public education system.

Each year, in the early Fall, the <em>VSBA Media Honor Roll</em> recognizes media representatives in three categories:  <strong>print</strong>, <strong>radio</strong>, and <strong>television</strong>. Criteria for honorees include the following:
<ol>
 	<li>Makes the effort to get to know the superintendent and board chair.</li>
 	<li>Understands the division’s mission and goals.</li>
 	<li>Reports school news in a manner that is fair, accurate, and balanced.</li>
 	<li>Gives a high-profile position to good news about schools.</li>
 	<li>Regularly visits the schools, attends board meetings, etc.</li>
 	<li>Maintains a policy of “no surprises” by sharing information with school representatives.</li>
</ol>
Please note that in addition to submitting individual reporters, you also can submit entire stations or newspapers. The deadline for receipt of the submission form and resolution is <strong>August 22, 2022.</strong>

<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MediaHonorRoll2022">Click here for the Online Form. </a>
<a href="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/MediaHonorRollGuide_2022.pdf">Click Here for the 2022 Guide.</a>

Later this year, VSBA will publish the Media Honor Roll in the VSBA Newsletter to recognize those honored through this program. We also will send you personalized certificates electronically that are suitable for presentation to reporters at a board meeting.

For additional information, please contact Kenita Matthews, APR Director of Communications, at 434-295-8722 or email at <a href="mailto:kenita@vsba.org"><strong>kenita@</strong><strong>vsba.org</strong></a>.

<em>Participation in VSBA initiatives and observances is optional. Any related materials from the Association are shared as suggested ideas and resources for implementation. Member school boards may choose not to participate locally.</em>

&nbsp;
<h3>Congratulations to our 2022 honorees:</h3>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Alleghany County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>The Alleghany Journal</li>
 	<li>The Recorder</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Culpeper County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Culpeper Media Network</li>
 	<li>Culpeper Star-Exponent</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Cumberland County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Laura McFarland, Cumberland Today</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Falls Church City</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Nicholas Benton, Falls Church News Press</li>
 	<li>Mark Hand, Patch Website</li>
 	<li>The Lasso, Meridian High School Student Newspaper</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Fredericksburg City</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Martin Davis, The Free Lance-Start</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Gloucester County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Melanie Slaughter, Gloucester/Mathews Gazette Journal</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Henry County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Callie Hietala, The Henry County Enterprise</li>
 	<li>Cara Cooper, The Martinsville Bulletin</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Lexington City</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Bruce Young, WDBJ7</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Louisa County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Delaney Hall, WRIC8</li>
 	<li>Katherine Knott, The Daily Progress</li>
 	<li>David Holtzman, The Central Virginian</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Martinsville City</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Callie Hietala, The Henry County Enterprise</li>
 	<li>Luis Romero, BTW21 News</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Mathews County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Charles Koenig, Gloucester-Mathews Gazette</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Nelson County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Emma Martin, Nelson County Times News and Advance</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>New Kent County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Andre Jones, New Kent Charles City Chronicle</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Norton City</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Kenneth Crowson, The Coalfield Progress</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Petersburg City</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>AJ Nwoko, WWBT12</li>
 	<li>Zoe Collins Rath, The Progress Index</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Powhatan County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Laura McFarland, Powhatan Today</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Prince George County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Chris Powell, PGCPS Social Media and Digital Marketing (Publications) Instructor</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Radford City</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Heather Bell and Sydney Jaxtheimer, WSLS10</li>
 	<li>Janay Reese, WDBJ7</li>
 	<li>Matt Gentry, Roanoke Times</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Smyth County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Linda Burchette, Smyth County News &amp; Messenger</li>
 	<li>Stephanie Porter-Nichols, Smyth County News &amp; Messenger</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Stafford County</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Adele Uphaus-Conner, The Free Lance-Star</li>
 	<li>Ted Schubel, B101.5 Radio</li>
 	<li>Drew Wilder, WRC-TV 4</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Waynesboro City</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Rebecca Barnabi, Augusta Free Press</li>
 	<li>Bob Stuart, News-Virginian</li>
 	<li>Patrick Hite, News-Leader</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>