Henrico Citizen Managing Editor Patty Kruszewski won 14 awards in the Virginia Press Women’s 2011 communication contest, including three first-place entries that will advance to the National Federation of Press Women contest.  

Kruszewski collected two of her first-place honors in the Special Articles category, with stories about education and health topics.   Among the winners in those categories were articles about the expansion of the Coal Pit Learning Center, the "Distinguished Springers" program at Highland Springs H.S., a cross-country cyclist raising awareness for blood donation, and a suicide prevention organization established in memory of a Douglas Freeman H.S. student.  Kruszewski also earned a first place in feature stories for her article about Dining in the Dark, a sensory awareness experience that raised funds for Foundation Fighting Blindness.  

Another feature story, about the connection between The Westwood Club's founders and the family of Francis Gary Powers of U-2 fame, won a second place for Kruszewski. 

In the Special Articles category, Kruszewski took a second place for two history stories, about Emmanuel Church's 150th birthday celebration and Discover the James' Civil War cruises. 

Kruszewski won seven third place awards, including one for headline writing and another for her feature photo portrayal of children playing a game at a church picnic.  Her winning entry in the feature story category described Henrico resident Bob Bluford's recent turn at the controls of a B-24 bomber -- 65 years after he first piloted the plane in World War II. 

In the Special Articles categories of education and sports, Kruszewski took third place awards for stories about an author's visit to Short Pump Middle School, a Moody Middle School student whose essay won a national award, and appreciation events honoring rescuers of a cardiac arrest victim and medical personnel who cared for a heart patient. 

Special Articles in the social issues and sports categories added two additional third place awards, for stories about autistic students working at St. Mary's Hospital, a quadriplegic veteran given a new home, a World Cup countdown at Deep Run H.S., and a local nine-year-old's big league baseball experience. 

Kruszewski also earned an honorable mention for her Special Articles about environmental topics, which included a story about the River City Saunter and another about a 1939 cottage that was recently converted into a solar-powered home. 

In the news reporting category, she won an honorable mention for her stories about an early education summit and a Henrico Police Athletic League celebration of PAL's growth and progress.