Lakeville Journal earns top honors at New England newspaper awards

The Lakeville Journal earned several top honors at the New England Newspaper and Press Association’s annual spring conference on March 16 for its work in journalism, community engagement and audience outreach.

Among the awards, the organization received first place in the Community and Audience Engagement category for its high school journalism program. The program, launched in April 2025 with funding support from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, 21st Century Fund and individual donors, teaches professional journalism to students at Housatonic Valley Regional High School and launched the student newspaper HVRHS Today.

The paper also earned first place in the Human Interest category for Natalia Zukerman’s story, “Bearing Witness at Auschwitz,” a personal account examining the legacy of the Holocaust and the importance of remembrance.

Additional honors included second place for Fundraising Strategy, second place for Outstanding Newsletter for the paper’s “What To Do” newsletter, and second place for Newspaper Event for the community Street Fair.

Publisher James H. Clark said the awards reflect the organization’s belief that strong local news is the foundation of a strong community.

“These honors recognize the strength of our local reporting, our commitment to meaningful engagement and the deep connection we have to the communities we serve,” Clark said. “I’m proud of the work our team does every day to serve our readers and keep our communities connected.”

The high school journalism initiative was designed as a bottom-up program that gives students broad latitude to shape the publication’s voice, design and coverage. A team of five to six students plan each issue, pitching story ideas and reporting the articles independently.

Nathan Miller, managing editor of The Millerton News and program lead, said the recognition is shared with the students.

“The program’s success would not be possible without the amazing students who worked for the past year to create HVRHS Today,” Miller said.

Zukerman said she was grateful to see her work recognized. “I’m honored that this piece was recognized,” Zukerman said. “It documents not only a historic commemoration, but a deeply personal reckoning. For me, remembrance is not passive. In this time of rising authoritarianism and multiple ongoing genocides, I feel an unyielding responsibility to remember and to speak.”

The annual NENPA awards recognize excellence and innovation among newspapers and media organizations across New England, honoring work in reporting, audience development and community service.

The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News are published by LJMN Media, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.