Six chapters received nearly a dozen UUP Journalism Contest awards during the union’s 2003 Spring DA in Albany.

The competition, which is in its fourth year, was judged by three Capital District-area newspaper editors and writers.

Newsletters and members earning this year’s journalism awards were:

Class I (chapter membership of 500 or fewer)

• General excellence — The Best in Class Award went to the Cortland Newsletter, edited by Karla Alwes and David Franke, while judges gave an Award of Merit to the Delhi Voice, edited by Tony Markham.
  
  According to the judges, the Newsletter “is chock full of useful information. ... A lot of hard work is obvious here.”
• Best Feature Story — Best in Class: Oneonta Sentinel, “John Jermyn Profile,” written by Bill Simons; Award of Merit: Delhi Voice, “Gary Brackett: Teacher/Athlete,” John Sandman; and Honorable Mention: Cortland Newsletter, “On the retirement of Bruce Atkins,” Robert Spitzer.
  
  Simons’ winning feature article was considered by the judges to be “an interesting and moving piece ... on the events that both shape and shatter our world.”
• Best Editorial or Column — Best in Class: Cortland Newsletter, “Technology & Labor,” Larry Ashley; Award of Merit: Old Westbury Wavelengths, “Irony and Affirmative Action,” Onita Estes-Hickes; and Honorable Mention: Delhi Voice, “Four Little Words,” Charles Molé.
  
  “A comprehensive discussion on how technology affects academic life,” is how the judges described Ashley’s winning editorial.
• Best Art or Photo — Best in Class: Delhi Voice, “Henault Membership Sign-up.”

Class II (chapter membership of more than 500)

• General Excellence — Best in Class: Binghamton Connection, edited by George McKee; and Award of Merit: Upstate Medical Advisor, edited by Barbara Silverstone.
  
  According to the judges, the Connection is “extremely informative and very nicely designed. ... A great job overall!”

— Karen L. Mattison