Partsch wins multiple LSWA Awards, including Prep Writer of the Year

Ville Platte Gazette Managing Editor Raymond Partsch III brought home multiple awards for his work at the annual Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association Award Luncheon held Sunday in downtown Natchitoches.
Partsch took first place in Class II Prep Feature for his story on former Ville Platte High football coach Roy Serie finding his path following the death of his wife, and his ensuing prison term.
Judge’s comments: “Shocking feature had me riveted. Writer did a fantastic job of combing facts with emotion.”
Partsch took first place in Outdoors Writing for his story on the bond between Bubba King and his daughter Sydia through shared passion for deer hunting.
Judge’s comments: “It could have become overly sentimental, but the author was able to avoid that trap. Good use of quotes from the father and daughter to supplement the narrative.”
Partsch was named Class II Prep Writer of the Year for his three stories, including his feature on Serie, a historical perspective on boxing in Evangeline Parish and a profile on Ville Platte High girls basketball coach Dorothy Doulet.
Judge’s comments: “Storytelling is the key to good prep sports reporting and features, and the writer demonstrated repeatedly the ability to present stories and information that grab and hold the reader’s attention. Nice work.”
In addition to the two first place honors and Prep Writer of the Year, Partsch received second place honors in Class II Pro Columns category on his column on Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy still being allowed to play despite battering a woman and third place in the Class II Headlines category.
Partsch also won second place in Class II Prep Event category for his story for The Alexandria Daily Town Talk on Fairview High girls team losing at Top 28.
“I am elated at having the caliber of writer with the talent that Raymond obviously possess as the head of our editorial department,” Gazette Publisher David Ortego said. “He is a key to our publication having the ability to not only inform our readers of the news happenings of the community, but he presents an entertainment factor to subscribers which has always been a goal of ours.”
Rod Walker from The Advocate and Brent St. Germain from The Courier/Daily Comet were named Sportswriters of the Year. Cody Worsham from Tiger Rag meanwhile received Story of the Year honors for his feature on Keith Hornsby’s pursuit of an NCAA tournament berth.
In the Newspaper Sweepstakes award (where papers receive points on a 3-2-1 basis), the Ville Platte Gazette placed fourth out of seven newspapers in Class II, one point behind the Lafayette Daily Advertiser. The Courier/Daily Comet took top honors in Class II with the Lake Charles American Press in second, while The Ruston Daily Leader, Town Talk and Tiger Rag placed fifth through seventh.
The Advocate meanwhile took top honors in Class I with the New Orleans Times-Picayune in second, Shreveport Times in third and Gannett Louisiana in fourth.