PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — The Berkshire Eagle racked up 29 journalism awards — including Photojournalist of the Year honors for Stephanie Zollshan — in the 2025 New England Newspaper & Press Association Better Newspaper Competition.

The Eagle’s performance resulted in 13 first-place awards recognizing staff and individuals. The Eagle competes in the division of the largest daily news outlets in New England.

The B magazine also turned in a standout performance in the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s Better Newspaper Competition, earning 10 awards in the highly competitive Specialty Publications division.

“What stands out to me is the range of this award-winning work — from newswriting to photography to features to design — and the consistency across all of it,” said Kevin Moran, The Eagle’s executive editor. “The Eagle and The B continue to show what’s possible when strong storytelling, design and audience focus come together.”

Moran added, “This is a team effort — reporters, photographers, editors, designers — all pushing the work higher because we’re supported by local owners and readers. This recognition reflects a newsroom that’s deeply committed to its community and to getting the work right every day.”

“Since returning to local ownership, our focus has been on building a newsroom that serves the Berkshires with depth and integrity — and it’s gratifying to see that work recognized,” said Gary Lavariere, The Eagle’s publisher. “I’m proud of our team for working relentlessly every day to pursue the stories that matter and make an impact.”

The Newspaper & Press Association’s Better Newspaper Competition is New England’s largest and most comprehensive journalism contest. The awards banquet was held Saturday at The Venue in Portsmouth, N.H.

Berkshire Eagle photojournalist Stephanie Zollshan won Photojournalist of the Year honors at the 2025 New England Newspaper & Press Association Better Newspaper Competition.

Zollshan’s Photojournalist of the Year win was among five first-place awards for her work behind the lens.

She not only led The Eagle in awards, but she had perhaps the best journalism performance of the awards night among all the New England newsrooms, according to Moran.

Zollshan won firsts for News Feature Photo — of Sajaira Hudson at her MCLA graduation; Personality Photo — of Square Roots Farm owner Michael Gallagher; photo story — of dogs receiving physical therapy at Fitter Critters in Lee; and Portrait Photo — of ultrarunner Michael Wardian.

The Eagle’s first place wins also included:

— Business Section for the Berkshire Business Journal, an Eagle staff award;

— Front Page, specifically, the Nov. 20, 2024, edition, designed by Evan Berkowitz;

— Headline, “Teaching for the skies,” written by Tom Tripicco for a story about pilot Yulia Bougouin’s new flight school;

— Government Reporting, for a story about how OSHA's proposed Emergency Response Standard might decimate local volunteer fire departments, by Jane Kaufman;

— Home and Garden Writing, for a column describing the annual, chaotic and curious summer invasion of tiny ants into homes, by Eagle contributor Clellie Lynch;

— Living Section, specifically the Feb. 15, 2025, edition of Berkshire Landscapes, by The Eagle’s features department;

— Sports Section, specifically for its high school winter sports championship coverage in its Feb. 24, 2025, edition; and

— Sports Column, “An empty end to the postseason,” by Jesse Kolodkin.

Eagle staff, staff members and contributors took 11 second-place finishes, five third-place finishes and two honorable mentions.

The Eagle finished second in the General Excellence category; the Boston Globe took first.

The B magazine, a lifestyle publication covering the Berkshires, earned nine awards in the New England Newspaper & Press Association's Better Newspaper Competition, including first place for General Excellence.

The B magazine — under its publisher Michelle Thorpe Petricca, founding editor Amy Conway and designer director Julie Hammill turned in a standout performance in the NENPA competition.

The lifestyle magazine covering the Berkshires captured two first-place honors, including General Excellence, the division’s top prize, and Living Page for the feature “Celebrate With Style,” underscoring the strength of its storytelling and presentation.

The B also secured two second-place finishes — for Best Niche Publication and Food Page — highlighting its continued focus on serving a distinct audience with engaging, high-quality content.

Rounding out the tally were five third-place awards, recognizing the magazine’s breadth across categories, from Audience Involvement and Overall Design to Personality Photo and Photo Story.