What TPA Awards really mean to a community

Every year, the Texas Press Association holds its annual Better Newspaper Contest—a tradition in the industry that many community newspapers take very seriously. For some, it’s about recognition. For others, it’s validation. For me, it’s about something deeper.

These plaques and certificates—ranging from first to fourth place in categories like column writing, advertising design, sports photography, and community service—aren’t just wall decorations. They represent a newsroom that is healthy, active, and serving its community well. The contest is judged by professionals from other states, which removes bias and ensures that what’s rewarded is strong, objective journalism.

When I returned to Robertson County on Feb. 1, I had just submitted The Light and Champion in Center for the 2024 contest. That project meant a lot to me. We rebuilt the paper from the ground up, and it paid off. The Light and Champion earned 10 awards, including two first-place honors—Community Service and General Excellence. The paper also placed second overall in the coveted Sweepstakes category, which is awarded based on total points across all entries. That recognition wasn’t just for me—it was a testament to the hardworking staff who believed in improving their paper for the good of their community.

After submitting those entries, I thought to myself, “Let’s do it again.” This time, for The Robertson County News.

Then, on June 1, we officially took over operations for The Silsbee Bee, and that same motivation came back—”Let’s do it again for Silsbee.”

I didn’t own The Bee in 2024, but our very own Dan Eakin did submit in one category—Column Writing—and took home second place. That may not sound like much, but in our world, it’s a significant achievement. Column Writing is one of the most competitive categories in the contest. Nearly everyone submits in it. To place second is no small feat. On top of that, Dan was inducted into the Texas Press Association’s 50 Club, honoring more than 50 years in the field. In truth, he’s been at it for over 65 years—but who’s counting?

I remember when The Silsbee Bee dominated the TPA awards. I was there when Danny, Jan, or other staff members stepped up to accept honors year after year. It’s time for The Bee to return to that stage, not for the sake of accolades, but to show that it continues to be a trusted voice for Hardin County.

The Robertson County News didn’t enter this year’s contest because I had just returned and missed the submission deadline. But I’m proud to say we’ve earned many first-place awards over the years—starting in 2014, the first year the paper ever submitted under my leadership. We’ve proven we can compete, and it’s time to do so again.

To be fair, The Silsbee Bee will only have six months of eligible content for the 2025 contest. I don’t submit work that wasn’t produced under our team. But six months is all we need. In just three weeks, we’ve already begun implementing changes that will restore The Bee to the level of excellence its readers deserve and expect.

These awards don’t define us, but they do reflect the effort we pour into every issue. They show that we’re moving in the right direction—back toward excellence, both in Robertson County and in Hardin County.

And that, more than any plaque, is what truly matters.