Two Braxton Newspaper received statewide recognition at the West Virginia Press Association Hall of Fame induction ceremonies held in Wheeling last weekend. In addition to six members of the newspaper industry being enshrined in the Hall of Fame, five were recognized as Rising Starr Class of 2023; seven were named to the MVP Class. This was the inaugural class for the two categories.
Jennifer Lloyd, production specialist for Braxton Newspapers was named as a “Rising Starr” in the industry. The category recognizes outstanding employees with five years of experience or less at their company.
Janet Six, office manager, reporter and photographer at the local media outlet was selected as a member of the MVPs Class of 2023 which recognizes employees with more than five years with their company.
Publisher Ed Given stated that the recognition was well earned, “Both Janet and Jennifer are absolutely invaluable in our operation. In the fifty years I have been in this business no one has been more reliable and dedicated to serving our readership that these two. I am truly fortunate to have them as a part of the Braxton Newspapers family.”
Addressing the capacity crowd in the Fort Henry Room at Oglebay Park Lodge, WVPA Executive Director Betsy Miles announced the six members inducted into the Hall of Fame, which is housed at the Reed College of Media at WVU.
Ogden Newspapers Editorial Director John McCabe summed up the six members of the West Virginia Press Association 2023 Hall of Fame class by sharing a quote from the late Ogden Nutting: ‘A family loved, a community and state served, a life well lived.’
Speaking at Saturday’s WVPA Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Oglebay Park, McCabe explained that Nutting made the statement about the late Mike Myer, longtime editor of the Wheeling News-Register and The Intelligencer; however, McCabe, who inducted Myer, said after hearing the six induction presentations, he felt the sentiment applied to all members of the 2023 class and to Nutting, who was a member of the WVPA Hall of Fame Committee at the time of his death in August and was recognized Saturday for his efforts on behalf of the WVPA and the newspaper industry.
The inductees included: J Michael ‘Mike’ Myer, 1951-2021, The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, inducted by McCabe.
Mary Helen Hedges, 1921-2007, Roane County Reporter and Spencer Newspapers, inducted by David Hedges, her son and publisher of the Spencer Newspapers.
William Harper, 1808-1887, Morgantown Post, inducted by Don Smith, member of the WVPA Hall of Fame Committee.
Don Marsh, 1927-1999, The Charleston Gazette, inducted by Smith and Dr. Clay Marsh, the inductee’s son.
Joe Mills, 1939-1990, Wirt County Journal, inducted by Jim McGoldrick, WVPA board member and publisher of the Wirt County Journal and owner of West Central Publishing.
Samuel ‘Craig’ Shaw, 1874-1957, Moundsville Daily Echo, inducted by Smith.
Prior to the inductions on Saturday, Smith recognized Ogden Nutting, reading a tribute to the newspaper stalwart and sharing stories of Nutting’s work with reporters and talking of his efforts to develop community newspapers in West Virginia.
On Friday evening, as part of WVPA Hall of Fame Celebration, the newspaper industry recognized it current employees with its inaugural class of “Rising Stars” and “MVPs.”
Miles and Jim Spanner, WVPA board member and publisher of the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, announced the honorees. In addition to BCN’s Jennifer Lloyd, the Rising Stars Class of 2023 consisted of Samantha Cochran — Tyler Star News, Nick Henthorn, Sports Editor – The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, Rebecca Stalnaker, Editor—West Virginia Daily News, and Charles Young, Reporter— WV News and The Clarksburg Exponent Telegram
Member of the MVPs Class of 2023 in addition to Janet Six were Brian Clutter, Operations Director —The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, Sonia Swisher, Promotions and Events — WV News and The Clarksburg Exponent Telegram, Susan Smith-Linton, General Manager — West Virginia Daily News Vance Ash, Tyler Star News, Christina Myer, Editor —The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, Jody Crouse, Managing Editor — Morgan Messenger, and Andrew Hedges, Production Manager — Spencer Newspapers
Miles said all donations in honor of the inductees and any profit raised from the celebration will be used by the West Virginia Press Association Foundation to fund paid internships and college scholarships for students interested in the newspaper industry. More information is available by contacting Miles at 304-342-1011 or BDeBord@ wvpress.org
