Senior Voice was recently recognized for excellence, winning eight awards in the annual contest sponsored by the North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA), a nationwide network of publishers focusing on boomer and senior readers. Awards were announced Sept. 11, 2024, at the annual NAMPA conference, held virtually online this year.
Entries were independently judged by a panel including journalists, proofreaders, librarians and geriatric professionals. Senior Voice entries competed in Division A, for circulations below 25,000. Senior Voice won third place in this division’s “General Excellence” category.
Longtime Senior Voice reporter and travel correspondent Dimitra Lavrakas won first place in the Travel Column category for her stories “Northern Lights and Fairbanks Nights,” and “Kodiak Shines as a Best Place to Visit”.
Senior Voice contributor Dr. Emily Kane won second place in the Senior Issues category for her health advice article on supplements.
In the Personal Essay category, contributor Lawrence D. Weiss won second place for his story, "Fountain Pens Will Make You Smarter.”
Contributing writer Jim Lavrakas won first place in the How-To feature category for his article, “Focus Your Pickleball on High Percentage Shots.” The judges wrote, “These article are fast-paced and dive right into the art of playing pickleball. His passions and inspiration couldn’t come across any stronger, and those who already play or would like to take up this fast-growing sport are already ahead of the game after reading his articles.”
Contributing writer Erin Kirkland won first place in the Topical Issues category for her story on mindful grieving and recovery through yoga. “This enlightening and helpful article on the importance of mental mindfulness during the grief process of a major loss was very well written,” judges wrote.
Senior Voice won second place in the Front Cover Photo category for its July 2023 cover, featuring a photo by Vicki Jones of Ina Jones holding an armful of peonies at her farm near Homer.
Senior Voice and Older Persons Action Group, Inc. also earned a first place award in the Self-Promotion category for the house ad promoting the 2023-25 Directory for Older Alaskans.
Senior Voice is a publication of Older Persons Action Group, Inc., an Alaska nonprofit organization that serves Alaska seniors and their families. OPAG has been publishing Senior Voice for 47 years and is partially funded by a grant administered through the Alaska Dept. of Health.
Senior Voice articles, including the award-winners, can be looked up using the search window on the Senior Voice website, http://www.seniorvoicealaska.com.
