Staff report

The Panolian has received three first place awards in the Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. The newspaper received a total of eight awards presented at the MPA’s summer convention held last weekend in Biloxi.

Sports editor Myra Bean was awarded first place in the sports section category. Contest judges said the section has a “very clean, easy-to-read front page. Good photos and strong placement.”
Singled out for an outstanding photo taken at a Little League baseball game was Panolian photographer Andy Young.

“Clean, tight peak action moment of a six-year-old’s slide into third base,” the contest judge commented. “Good timing and composition.”

The Panolian’s Panola People lifestyle section received a first place award. Judges complimented the section’s design and content: “Lots of elements–columns, features, recipes, social news. Interesting material that’s well presented.”

Rita Howell edits that section.

Panolian staff writer Billy Davis, who has recently left the newspaper to work with the American Family Association in Tupelo, was awarded second place in the General News Story category and third place for Spot News Story.

Panolian publisher John Howell received third place for commentary column.

The Panolian’s Batesville The Magazine was awarded third place in the magazine competition.
Rita Howell received second place for Best Lede.

The Panolian competes in the large weeklies division. The Better Newspaper Contest covered work completed in 2012.

“We are excited and honored to be recognized by our peers for excelling in the work that we do,” Panolian managing editor Rupert Howell said.