WHRO Public Media 2021 Awards
WHRO Public Media has been honored to win several awards recently. From our new weekly Facebook series, Martha Reads, to several advertising awards for promotions, we are excited to celebrate these accomplishments.
“WHRO Public Media is committed to delivering outstanding content that enriches and educates our community. We are honored by the these awards and nominations,” stated Bert Schmidt, president and CEO of WHRO.
Below is a list of our 2021 Awards.
The Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters
First Place, Best Light Feature:
Gina Gambony, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA
Reporter's Notebook: A Walk on White Cane Day
WHRV's Gina Gambony fortuitously participated in "Meet the Blind" month. She has a Belgian waffle to thank.
Second Place, Best Investigative Reporting:
Paul Bibeau, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA
Five Hampton Roads Police Departments Have Military Vehicles. Here's How They Used Them.
How police departments in Hampton Roads justified their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles is not how they actually used them - when they used them at all.
Virginia Association of Broadcasters (VAB) Awards
First Place
Outstanding News Series:
"Detroit's COVID-19 Outbreak Hits Home for Virginia Beach Woman"
Headlines have detailed the celebrities who have died from COVID-19. But there are names you’ve never heard of who had more impact on people here in Hampton Roads.
Best human interest series:
A native of Suffolk Virginia, Ryan Speedo Green experienced a difficult childhood that ultimately led to juvenile detention at the age of 12. Green turned his life around with the help of dedicated teachers and learned to sing opera. At only 33, still young for a baritone, Green has performed on stages around the world, including the New York Metropolitan Opera.
Best station promotion/contest:
Challenge to Change
2020 has been a challenge but we always look for a bright side. WHRO is proud to have brought more educational resources to more Virginians than ever before!
Best public service/community event:
Work Like A Girl is part of WHRO’s American Graduate: Getting to Work national initiative, funded by Corporation for Public Broadcasting, to create awareness of the great opportunities for young women in skilled careers.
Best radio personality or team:
HearSay with Cathy Lewis Final Show
On the last episode of HearSay past producers Danny Epperson, Tayla Burney, Hannah Martin, Paul Bibeau and Jonah Grinkewitz discussed their time working on the show.
2020 award for creative excellence
WHRO Public Media worked closely with the Virginia Department of Education to create the second season to provide SOL-aligned instruction to students in grades K-7 who are unable to access other distance learning options due to a lack of high-speed internet. Public media stations across the Commonwealth aired VA TV Classroom during the pandemic while schools were closed.
Best in investigative reporting:
"Five Hampton Roads Police Departments Have Military Vehicles. Here's How They Used Them."
Reporter Paul Bibeau explores the use of military vehicles by local police departments.
Second Place
Best radio personality or team:
Hosts Share Memories From 30 Years of Public Radio
As we celebrated the 30th anniversary of WHRO and WHRV FM, WHRV's Gina Gambony interviewed our "30-year heroes," those at the station who have been with us for 30 years or more.
Best public service/community event:
A weekly Facebook series featuring stories written by local children. Each week hear Ms. Martha read a new story, Fridays at 10 a.m.
Best human interest series:
Arts Undercurrent: Generic Theater and A Chorus Line
Generic Theater was planning on presenting the musical A Chorus Line this summer. When the pandemic hit, every part of their creative process, from auditions, to dance rehearsals, to the actual show, went virtual. Rebecca spoke with General Producer Shon Stacy about directing, rehearsing, and filming in the age of COVID-19.
Public Media Award
Category: COVID-19 Marketing/Communications
Each week on Facebook, Martha reads a new story aloud. Rather than reading the books that children may already know, or could possibly find on their shelves at home, Martha reads stories that were submitted in previous years to the WHRO annual Young Storytellers Contest. These short tales are stories written by children, for children, with accompanying illustrations.
Addy Awards
Gold
Spelling Bee
Category: Art Direction—Campaign
This annual eventhelps students improve their spelling, increase their vocabulary, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives.
Silver
Work Like A Girl
Category: Television Self-Promotion-Local Campaign
Work Like A Girl is part of WHRO’s American Graduate: Getting to Work national initiative, funded by Corporation for Public Broadcasting, to create awareness of the great opportunities for young women in skilled careers.
RISE
Category: Television-Local Campaign
RISE is an economic development organization with a mission to accelerate innovation around solutions to coastal communities’ resilience challenges. The TV campaign promoted a challenge program covering Hampton Roads designed to support founders of startups and small businesses who are solving climate-change related problems in coastal cities.
Out of the Box
Category: Art Direction—Campaign
Paul Shugrue opens the box on great new music that's rarely played on the radio anywhere else. Hear the show on WHRV FM Monday-Thursday, 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, 1-5 p.m.
Or check out the archives online.
Telly Awards
Gold
Curate 757: Mascon Leather
Category: Online General - Cultural
Artie Shell worked in the banking industry for many years. After discovering his passion and talent for leather crafting, he left the corporate world to pursue his dream. Now owner of the successful brand Mascon Leather, his leather goods have been sold on every continent in the world.
Silver
Curate 757: Art In The Time Of COVID Category: Online Craft - Editing
Curate 757: Danny Doughty Category: Online General - Cultural
VA MOCA: Close Looks and Make Breaks Local TV Campaign - Campaign Not-for-Profit
African American History Course Videos Online Series - Series: Education & Discovery
Curate 757: Healing Ink Online General - Cultural
Bronze
Curate: Season 5, Episode 1 Television General - Cultural
Curate 757 Online Series - Series: Documentary
RISE Resilience Campaign / Rise Resilience Innovations Online Commercials Campaign - Campaign Not-for-Profit
Good Bugs Social Video Craft - Use of 2D Animation
Vision Zero, City of Norfolk, VA Social Video - General Public Service & Activism