Newspaper granted General Excellence Award in its circulation group by New Jersey Press Association
The Princeton Packet won the General Excellence Award for weekly papers with a circulation over 4,500 in the New Jersey Press Association’s 2005 Better Newspaper Contest, the association announced Thursday night at its annual banquet.
Writers and photographers for The Packet received seven first-place awards, as well as one second-place and three third-place awards for weekly papers with a circulation over 4,500, and won three additional awards in retail advertising.
"We’re very proud that The Packet has been recognized for its general excellence by the New Jersey Press Association, and just as proud of the individuals who put together such a quality product twice a week all year," Editor Aubrey Huston said. "Managing Editor Rick Sinding, Lifestyle Editor Michael Redmond, Sports Editor Bob Nuse and the members of their staff are dedicated to providing the best in community journalism."
Packet Staff Writer David Campbell won a first-place award for freshest treatment of a tired topic for his article "Graffiti defaces and bewilders."
For her article "Laptops: instructional necessity or wasteful extravagance" about the Montgomery Township School District, Packet Staff Writer Kara Fitzpatrick won first place for education writing.
Packet Staff Writer Hilary Parker’s article, "Fusion energy: the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab seeks to power the future," won first place for special subject writing.
Sports Editor Bob Nuse won a first place for his sports writing portfolio including "No place like home," "Hun School’s quirks enjoy labor of love," and "David Blitzer, meet David Blitzer."
TimeOFF editor Ilene Dube took home first place in the packaging the news product category for a feature section.
In addition, photographer Frank Wojciechowski’s photograph, "Handbag" won first place for illustrations. His photograph, "Shad Fisherman" won first place for a pictorial and second place for a feature picture story.
In the retail advertising contest, the staff of the sales department and artist Michelle Riganati won first place for a free-standing advertisement in the best special section category.
Other Packet Publications newspapers took home nearly 30 awards.
The South Brunswick Post won one first-place, one second-place and three third-place awards.
The Windsor-Hights Herald won one second-place and two third-place awards.
The Hopewell Valley News won two first-place and one second-place awards.
The Register-News won two first-place, one second-place and two third-place awards.
The Cranbury Press won one second-place award.
The Messenger-Press won two first-place and one second-place awards.
The Lawrence Ledger won two second-place awards.
The Hillsborough Beacon won three first-place, one second-place and one third-place awards.

