Deb Patterson, left, holds two of the first place award plaques received in the HSPA Better Newspaper Contest. The awards were for Best Portrait and Best Spot News Photo. Samantha Payton, right, is shown holding the first place plaque for Best Newspaper Design. Not shown is Mike Deak who won first place for Best Feature Photo. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Yearly the Hoosier State Press Association hosts a Better Newspaper Contest, allowing staff writers, photographers and the publication itself to compete against other publications of the same size. This year The Mail-Journal bought home four first place awards, three second place and three third place recognitions.

First place awards were received for Best Newspaper Design by Deb Patterson and Samantha Payton; Best Portrait and Best Spot News by Patterson; and Best Feature Photo by Mike Deak.

Second place awards were received by Patterson for Best Portrait and Best Spot News Photo and by Deak for Best Sports Action Photo.

Patterson also won third place in Best Spot News Photo, Best News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure. The staff won third place for Best Special Section with its entry of the Dixie Day Festival.

The awards were presented Friday, Sept. 23, in Indianapolis.