It’s springtime — and in the journalism world, that means it’s awards season. So far this year, Charlottesville Tomorrow has been recognized at the state and national level for its reporting and model of community-driven news.
In March, the Pulitzer Center announced Anastasiia Carrier was one of four reporters selected as a 2026 Mental Well-being in the U.S. Reporting Fellow. Carrier has reported on gaps in mental health care for youth in our region and across the state, plus challenges to funding for mental health and addiction recovery services for Medicaid patients.
Her Pulitzer fellowship project is focused on the community impact of the Farmville labor and delivery unit’s closure. She has hit the ground running, and last week she reported on how families in the area have already started to change their minds about having children.
“It’s an opportunity to take an in-depth look at how Centra’s closure of obstetric and gynecological services is affecting families in Farmville and the surrounding area. I’ve been speaking with families and there’s no doubt the loss is already having ripple effects,” said Carrier. (Contact Charlottesville Tomorrow if you or your family have been affected.)
Also in March, the Education Writers Association awarded education reporter La Shawn Pagán with a scholarship to attend the 79th Education Writers Association seminar in June 2026.
Since joining Charlottesville Tomorrow in 2025, Pagán has been carefully reporting on issues facing local educators, students and parents. She has tracked the evolving conversations around school resource officers in Charlottesville City Schools and investigated how Fluvanna, Louisa and Albemarle counties and CCS found solutions to tackle chronic absenteeism since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am so happy to have been granted a scholarship to attend the national seminar, where I’ll learn about helping communities understand how changes at the federal level will affect local schools,” said Pagán. “This is a fantastic opportunity at such a critical time, and I’m so honored to be one of the journalists selected.”
The Virginia Press Association (VPA) announced the 2025 VPA News & Advertising Contest awardees over the weekend at the annual VPA Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 11 in Lynchburg, Virginia. Anastasiia Carrier, Allie Pitchon and Erin O’Hare were recognized for their coverage of health, public institutions and housing in the online news outlets category.
While we’re always glad to cheer on our reporters and celebrate the accolades they receive from our news colleagues, what is most impressive is their dedication to the communities we serve. Our team works hard to bring their skills and talents to central Virginia, so we’re grateful for this opportunity to celebrate and support them.
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