Asheville Citizen-Times series honored by education writers

Press release to follow. Congratulations to Nancy Bompey an Ashley Wilson:

Washington, D.C., March 2, 2009 — The Education Writers Association (EWA), the national professional association of education reporters and writers, today announced the winners of the 2008 National Awards for Education Reporting, the prestigious national competition for education writing. The annual contest honors the best education reporting in the print and broadcast media and is the only independent contest of its kind in the United States. Contest entries were limited to stories published or broadcast for the first time during the 2008 calendar year.

A total of 273 entries were judged in this year’s contest. First-prize winners receive a cash prize of $150 and a plaque. Winners of Second Prizes and Special Citations receive certificates.

IB. Newspapers Under 100,000–Feature, News Feature or Issue Package

First Prize Diane D’Amico, The Press of Atlantic City –“A Mutual Challenge: Disabled, Attending College”

Second Prize Francisco Alvarado, Miami New Times – “The F-School Bomb“

Special Citations Jack Stripling, The Gainesville Sun -“Professor of Plagiarism“

Ashley Wilson and Nanci Bompey, Asheville Citizen-Times – “Childhood Obesity: A Growing Epidemic”