David Laprad of the Hamilton County Herald won first place in the Tennessee Press Association statewide contest for Best Single Feature for his article on Christy Howard, a 50-year-old Chattanooga woman who suffers from epilepsy, and her quest to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Judges described the story, which can be found at https://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=14790&date=5%2f17%2f2024, as “an amazing story well told.
“I didn’t know much about epilepsy but now I do because of this writer’s great ability to tell a story,” one judge wrote. “Wonderful how this woman is able to have a great life with her amazing family.”
Laprad also had a third place in the same category a feature on Judge Tori Smith (Judge’s inspiring journey leads to childhood goal, https://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=16694&date=9%2f27%2f2024).
“I didn’t want to give David another award, but he is one of the best writers in the state, it seems,” one judge wrote.
The HCH also took seconds for headline writing and local features, as well as a third for Best Business Coverage.
The Nashville Ledger, a sister publication, won top prizes for Best Business Coverage, Editorials and Investigative Reporting, as well as second-place prizes for Best Sports Coverage and Make-up and Appearance and a third place for Best Education Reporting.
The Knoxville Ledger won for Best Sports Writing and Make-Up and Appearance.