by Mickey Smith

Former News & Citizen reporter Amy Kolb Noyes was lauded by the National Newspaper Association for her coverage of local business, Rock Art Brewery's fight against the Monster energy drink company.

Noyes earned third place honors in NNA's Better Newspaper Contest in the Best Business, non-daily division, circulation less than 8,000 for the story she wrote detailing Monster energy drink's attempt to force Rock Art Brewery to stop using the name “Vermonster” for one of their beers brewed in Morrisville.

“...The News & Citizen has been judged by its peers among other entrants and selected to join the roll of this year's award-winning newspapers in these national contests.  Winners reflect the high quality of publications represented by the association,” read the notification letter from NNA Contest and Awards Committee Chair Jeff Farren.

The judges comments for Noyes' series of articles, which ran October 15, 22, and 29, 2009 included, “An interesting, enjoyable read. Chalk one up for the little guy. Good use of quotes.”
Some 1,990 entries were submitted in this year's Better Newspaper Contest, along with another 359 entries in the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest.  There were 634 awards won by 143 newspapers covering 37 states.

Noyes was honored by the award, and wanted to thank Matt Nadeau and the crew at Rock Art for their “fierce fight against Monster energy drink.”