Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Martha Schott Erik Hyrkas, Lori Sass, Dino Mujakovic, Jessica Larson, Brian Moser and Beau Markut attended the "Best of the Midwest" regional newspaper convention in Minneapolis where the Mirro took the first place award in "Best of Show." The award is based on overall quality of a single issue of a newspaper.

The Lakeland Mirror staff won the first place "Best of Show" award in their category at the annual "Best of the Midwest" regional newspaper convention in Minneapolis Feb. 16-18. The convention, sponsored by the Associated Collegiate Press, was attended by over 230 college journalists from states throughout the Midwest.

The "Best of Show" award is based on overall quality of a single issue. Last year, the Mirror won third place "Best of Show" award.

"We submitted an issue with lots of news. The layout just keeps getting better, and we have some really good writers this year. All these factors combined and made for a paper that just couldn't lose," said editor-in-chief Jessica Larson.

It's rewarding to have all of our hard work recognized and receive the 'Best of Show' award. So many schools submit their newspapers and all the staffs think they're the best. We can actually say we are the best this year," said Lori Sass, Sheboygan Falls resident.

Representing the Mirror staff at the convention were Jessica Larson, editor-in-chief; Dino Mujuakovic, managing editor; Lori Sass, layout editor; Erik Hyrkas, features editor, Beau Markut, sports editor; and Brian Moser, copy editor.

The six Mirror staff members presented a workshop at the convention on Saturday which focused on improving staff communication. Most of the breakout sessions at the annual convention are presented by professional journalists and journalism faculty members, but the Mirror student staff has been asked to present sessions every year for the past four years.

"From some of the speakers I have learned what I want to do later on in life. One of the sessions involved what newspapers can learn from magazines and it made me realize that I really want to work for a magazine later on. However, each session benefited in one way or another in developing my abilities and was inspiring," said Mujakovic, Sheboygan resident.

The Mirror competes with other newspapers which are published every other week. The staff submitted the first issue from the spring 2007 for the contest. The second place winner was Grand Valley Lanthorn, Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI.

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