Press Releases
The Mail-Journal, staff receive awards at HSPA
December 6, 2006 - Milford, IN The Mail-Journal and several staff members came home Saturday from the 40th annual Hoosier State Press Association Foundation Newsroom Seminar and Better Newspaper contest with 15 awards.
When it was all said and done, there were three first place awards; a finalist award; five second place awards and six third place awards. Those awards were enough to earn The Mail-Journal a third place in the General Excellence category.
the PAPER also received third place in the Best Business Section or Pages, and Best Feature Section or Pages for its samples of the Community Corner page. The judges felt the profile features on the Community Corner is "a nice way to highlight interesting folks in the community."
The company also received a third place in the Blue Ribbon contest for non dailies. This competition is an overall evaluation of editorial quality of the newspapers. Judges look for the newspaper best serving its readers with all variables considered as well as the breadth and depth of coverage, quality of reporting and copy editing, news judgement and content balance, general appearance, imaginative approach to problem news areas, originality, reader interest and overall professionalism.
The judges noted The Mail-Journal had "a good mixture of stories on front page. Good second section... good sports coverage."
Staff members also were recognized with a second place for the features on the mute swans. This was in the best ongoing news coverage. Judges noted: "Newspapers on a local scale often can publish stories that garner state attention. Great job of bringing a much needed topic to the attention of the community."
Individual Awards
Individual awards were earned by Samantha Payton, ad composition; and former editorial staff writers Stacey Staley and Jenni (Yoder) Kulp.
Payton received a first place award of Best Use of Graphics on the B section front page submitted on Kids unearth human bones in North Webster. This front page also received second place recognition for Payton and Staley in the Best Feature Section or Page category. "Beautiful use of graphics; nice feature" was the statement of the judges.
That same also won Staley a first place in the Best Feature Story category and a nomination for the Story of the Year. Judges stated "This is storytelling at its best. A news story was transformed into a beautiful feature story you can't stop reading... Compelling graphics draw readers into the story, good, concise writing with nice details. Original topic, creative thinking pays off here. Nice, tight package, provides that bigger is not always better."
Staley also received a first in Headline Writing with three selections: DNR baited with letter of intent, prepares to reel in defiant anglers; In grave condition; and China dolls inspire life change for North Webster couple; second place for Best News Coverage with No Deadline Pressure: Health officials and trustees follow up on complaints at Black's Trailer Park; and for Best Business/Economic coverage: FEMA units move south. She also received a third place in Best Feature Photo.
Regarding the FEMA story, the judges wrote "Good local angle and a well written piece. And we can show you where these things are winding up!"
Kulp received a third place in the category of Best Business/Economic News Coverage for her article: Gaining space, losing ground: Construction projects.
Judges for this category wrote:"Jenni, like the way you tell the story through Stanley's eyes. Well-crafted story all around. Very close category."
Thousands of entries are submitted in the six different divisions -- based on the type of publication and circulation. This year's judges, also in the newspaper business, were from the east coast.
The Mail-Journal competes in the non daily publication category with circulation up to 4,000. There were 430 entries from 19 Division 1 (non daily publications with a circulation of up to 4,000).
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About The Papers Incorporated
The Papers Incorporated is home to Senior Life, Auto & RV Publications, the PAPER, The Mail Journal and House & Home publications. In addition, commercial printing and SpectraPrint form a large part of the enterprise. The Papers Incorporated is based in Milford, Indiana. For more information, visit www.the-papers.com.
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