Chronicle wins 14 awards in state press association annual contest, including 1st in general excellence for its division

The Lexington County Chronicle brought home nine page design awards, one sports reporting award, two feature writing awards, one column writing award and the first place award in general excellence for its division from the South Carolina Press Association’s annual awards ceremony held on April 4 in Columbia.

News outlets from all over South Carolina gathered at the downtown Columbia convention center to be honored for their work done in 2024.

“I’m only a year into my role, but I couldn’t be more proud of my staff’s work bringing Lexington County news that matters and getting recognized for it at the state level,” editor Bryn Eddy said. “I’m looking forward to another year in the best job ever. There’s so much we want to accomplish in the 365 days ahead, and we rely on our amazing readers’ support to do that.”

Here’s a breakdown of the awards the Chronicle won in its division:

• The entire staff won first place in general excellence in print.

• Sports editor Jacob Phillips won second place in sports beat reporting.

• Editor Bryn Eddy won first place in profile feature writing for a story on O’Hara’s Bakery Café’s overnight baker.

• Chronicle contributor Catharine Barone won third place in profile feature writing for a story on a Lexington County couple who has frequented Lizard’s Thicket for their entire marriage.

• Chronicle contributor Nora Sinclair, LPC, NCC, won second place in column writing for “Mental Health Matters.”

• Graphics manager Cary Howard won first place in page one design for the March 14, 2024 edition.

• Graphics manager Cary Howard won first, second and third place awards in sports page design for the June 27, 2024; Sept. 5, 2024; and Aug. 8, 2024 editions.

• Graphics manager Cary Howard won first and third place awards in inside page design for the April 25, 2024, and July 11, 2024 editions.

• Graphics manager Cary Howard won first and third place awards in photo page design for the March 21, 2024, and July 11, 2024 editions.