Parenting Publications of America (PPA) gave out just over 400 Editorial and Design Competition awards to 64 parenting newspapers and magazines at a banquet on March 6, 2010, the climax of the three-day PPA Annual Convention in Charlotte, NC.

Local publisher Leigh Anne Van Doren took home three national awards for her work on Fredericksburg Parent and Family:

The magazine won a Gold award for Design- Best Use of Cover Stock Photo (graphic designer Cheryl Carter)

A Silver General Excellence Award for Most Improved in recognition of its move to higher quality paper and graphic redesign (graphic designer Cheryl Carter)

And a Gold award for Editorial-Special Series (writer KJ Mushung).

Local writer KJ Mushung wrote the special series on proposed changes to special education regulations. The judges noted that the series was "not standard fare for parenting publications. The timeliness and the reporting initiative are admirable."

PPA's Editorial and Design Awards Competition recognizes excellence in journalism, photography and design achieved by publishers, editors, writers and designers at member publications. Prof. Daryl Moen of the University of Missouri's School of Journalism coordinated the annual contest. A panel of judges reviewed 1,026 entries to choose the winners in each category.