Journalism Awards

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Meghan Rilley, Editor

Meghan has been the award winning editor of the VC Echoes since September 2005

"Writing well means never having to say, ‘I guess you had to be there." (Jef Mallett)

"News is what someone wants suppressed. Everything else is advertising. The power is to set the agenda. What we print and what we don’t print matter a lot." (Katharine Graham)

Former VCTA Newsletter Editor, Patti Lunden (July 1999 to June 2005), received New York Teacher Journalism Award honors at the 2006 Representative Assembly in Rochester. From left to right: Maria Neira, NYSUT First Vice-President; Richard Steger, VCTA Vice-President; Richard Iannuzzi, NYSUT President; Patricia Lunden, VCTA Vice-President; Timothy Brown, VCTA President; Ivan Tiger, NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer; and Kathleen Donahue, NYSUT Second Vice-President. Meghan Rilley (July 2005 to present) the current VCTA Newsletter Editor, has continued this tradition of excellence.

2013 NYSUT Communications Competition

First Place, Best Column by a Leader, “Christmas Wish List,” December 2013, Volume 16, Issue 3
Award of Distinction, Best Overall Graphic Design, “Abandon Hope? Losing Hope? Finding Hope…,” May 2013, Volume 15, Issue 5

2012 NYSUT Journalism Awards

Ted Bleecker "Best of the Best" Award, June 2011, Volume 13, Issue 7, Editor: Meghan Rilley
Award of Merit, Best Editorial Design, Cover Page, October 2010, Volume 13, Issue 1

2011 NYSUT Journalism Awards

Second Place, Best Editorial Design, "Child of the Universe," September 2009, Volume 12, Issue 1
Second Place, Best Feature Story, "Turkey-Cow Union Cooperation Is Not Without Consequences: Are Chickens Being Targeted?" December 2009, Volume 12, Issue 3
Second Place, Best Opinion Writing, "'Sacred Cow' to the Slaughter," December 2009, Volume 12, Issue 3
Second Place, Best Publication, VC Echoes
First Place, Best Website, http://vcta.net/

2010 (AFTCN) American Federation of Teachers Communications Network Awards

Second Place, Best Single Publication or Non-Periodical, New Member Booklet 2009-2010
Second Place, Best Original Illustration or Photo, “Budget Train Threatens to Derail our Students,” Volume 11, Issue 5, April 2009
Third Place, General Excellence—Publications Print, VC ECHOES
Second Place, Best News Story, “Summary―Midyear Special Legislative Session,” Volume 11, Issue 3, December 2009
Third Place, Best Feature Story, “MS Celebration of Capabilities Kicked Off With a Bang!”, Volume 11, Issue 6, June 2009
Third Place, Best Profile, “Congratulations Debra Calvino! 2010 New York State Teacher of the Year," Volume 12, Issue 2, October 2009
Third Place, Best Design/Layout, VC ECHOES
Second Place, Best Website: http://vcta.net/

2010 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

First Place, Best Newsletter, Volume 11, Issue 2, October 2008
First Place, Best Opinion Writing, "Political Action: What, Why, Who, When, Where & How," Volume 11, Issue 6, June 2009
Award of Merit, Best Website: http://vcta.net/

2009 (AFTCN) American Federation of Teachers Communications Network Awards

First Place; Best Original Illustration or Photo; June 2008―"Putting Children Center," Volume 10, Issue 7, June 2008
Second Place; Best Non-Periodical or Special Publication; New Member Booklet 2008-2009
Second Place; Best News Story; "TRS: Is Our Future Secure?", Volume 11, Issue 3, December 2008
Second Place; Best Website: http://vcta.net/

2009 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

First Award, Best Original Cartoon, "Schools vs. Prisons," Volume 10, Issue 7, June 2008
First Award, Best Article on Health Issues, "Making Strides," Volume 10, Issue 2, October 2007
First Award, Best Website, http://vcta.net/
Award of Merit, Best Feature Story, "Meet VCTA's New Treasurer, Erin Davis," Volume 10, Issue 2, October 2007
Honorable Mention, Best Front Page/Cover, "VCTA Putting Children Center," Volume 10, Issue 1, September 2007

2008 (AFTCN) American Federation of Teachers Communications Network Awards

First Place; Best Editorial or Column; "Teacher Tenure Under Fire," Volume 9, Issue 5, April 2007
First Place; Best Original Illustration or Photo; September 2007 Cover―"Putting Children Center," Volume 10, Issue 1, September 2007
Second Place; General Excellence―Publications (Print); VC Echoes
Second Place; Best Public Relations Activity (Program/Campaign); Annual Kindergarten Letter
Third Place; Best Feature Story; "Negotiating for Tomorrow," Volume 10, Issue 3, December 2007

2008 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

First Award, Best Original Cartoon, "Is Valley Central a Violent Place?" Volume 9, Issue 1, September 2006
Award of Merit, General Excellence, Volume 9, Issue 5, April 2007
Award of Merit, Best Front Page/Cover, "US Congress Candidate John Hall Puts Children Center," Volume 9, Issue 2, October 2006
Award of Merit, Best Feature Story, "Remembering Ernie Pettine," Volume 9, Issue 3, December 2006
Award of Merit, Best Article on Health Issues, "Got Stress...?" Volume 9, Issue 4, February 2007
Award of Merit, Best News Story, "Fair Contracts Approved for Paraprofessionals and CSEA," Volume 9, Issue 4, February 2007
Award of Merit, New Members' Issue, "When 'Satisfactory' is Unacceptable," Volume 9, Issue 5, April 2007

2007 (AFTCN) American Federation of Teachers Communications Network Awards

First Award; Best Layout/Graphics; John Hall Cover Page; Volume 9, Issue 2, October 2006
Award of Merit; Best Editorial, "Charter Schools are not Smarter Schools," Volume 8, Issue 4, February 2006
Honorable Mention, Best Feature Story, "Remembering Ernie Pettine," Volume 9, Issue 3, December 2006
Honorable Mention, Best Art or Photo, VADIR Cartoon, Volume 9, Issue 2, September 2006
Award of Merit, Unique Performance, New Member Booklet by Patti Lunden & Rich Steger
Award of Merit, Best Website: http://vcta.net/

2007 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

First Award, Best Feature Story, "VCTA Loses an Icon: Penny Centers," Volume 8, Issue 6, June 2006, Special Retiree Edition
First Award, New Member Issues - "What Difference Does It Make?" Volume 8, Issue 4, February 2006

2006 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

Honorable Mention, Best Editorial or Column, "Parting Shots," Volume 7, Issue 7, June 2005
Honorable Mention, New Members' Issues, "The First Years of Teaching," Volume 7, Issue 2, October 2004

2005 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

Award of Merit, Best Article on Health Issues, "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer," Volume 7, Issue 1, September 2004
Honorable Mention, Best Editorial or Column, "No Soldier Left Behind," Volume 6, Issue 5, April 2004
Honorable Mention, Best Feature Story, "Jim Lignori Will Continue His Quest," Volume 6, Issue 6, June 2004, Special Retiree Edition

2003 (AFTCN) American Federation of Teachers Communications Network Awards

First Award, Best Editorial, "On Teacher Absenteeism," Volume 4, Issue 10, June 2002

2003 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

First Award, Best Article on Health Issues, "Feeling Blue," Volume 4, Issue 10, January 2002
Award of Merit, Best Original Cartoon, "Air Conditioning," Volume 4, Issue 8, April 2002
Award of Merit, Best Front Page or Cover, Volume 4, Issue 5, January 2002

2002 (AFTCA) American Federation of Teachers Communications Association Awards

Honorable Mention, Best News Story, "Terrorism Hits the High School," Volume 4, Issue 3, November 2001

2002 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

First Award, Best Original Cartoon, "Sweating the Test," Volume 3, Issue 10, June 2001
First Award, Best Article on Education Issues, "Testing at VC," Volume 3, Issue 6, February 2001
First Award, Best Article on Health, "Stress," February 2001
Honorable Mention, Best Report on Community Outreach, "Erin Davis is Part of Team in Training," Volume 3, Issue 7, March 2001
Honorable Mention, Best Feature Story, "VCTA Treasurer Honored," Volume 3, Issue 6, February 2001

2001 (AFTCA) American Federation of Teachers Communications Association Awards

Honorable Mention, Best News Story, "Kids Help Kids Learn," Volume 3, Issue 5, January 2001
Award of Merit, Best Column, "Where will all the New Teachers Come From?" Volume 3, Issue 5, January 2001
Honorable Mention, Best Layout

2001 New York Teacher Journalism Awards

Award of Merit, General Excellence, Volume 2, Issue 7, May 2000 (Special Retiree Edition), Volume 2, Issue 8, May 2000, Volume 2, Issue 9, June 2000
Award of Merit, Best Report on Community Outreach, "VCHS Celebrates Capabilities Day," Volume 2, Issue 8, May 2000
Honorable Mention, Best Article on Education Reform, "VCTA Teacher Wins International Award," Volume 2, Issue 5, March 2000

2000 (AFTCA) American Federation of Teachers Communications Association Awards

Award of Merit, Best News Story, "Laurie Miccio wins HCLC Community Service Award," Volume 2, Issue 3, November 1999
Award of Merit, Best Feature Story, "What's in a name...," Volume 2, Issue 3, November 1999
Award of Merit, Best Art or Photo, "got union," Volume 2, Issue 4, January 2000
Honorable Mention, Best Layout, Cover/Front Page, Volume 2, Issue 5, March 2000

The VCTA consists of three bargaining units: teachers, secretaries and paraprofessionals. We are affiliated with the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), which is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and the AFL-CIO. Email timothy.brown@valleycentralschools.org for questions or comments regarding this website.