NEWSPAPER WINS TOP COMPETITION

The Southeast Missourian captured 14 awards in National Newspapers Association competition, including the top prize of general excellence among daily newspapers that entered.

The awards were presented Friday at Fort Worth, Texas, during the 112th annual NNA convention and trade show.

In all, the newspaper received six first-place awards, two second-place awards, two awards for third place and four honorable mentions.

Judges praised the Southeast Missourian for "lots of information in an easy-to-read package."

In addition, the judges commended the newspaper for its use of graphics and focus on local news. A strong opinion page and good sports coverage rounded out the product, they said.

The newspaper won second place in general excellence in last year's contest. The 1996 first-place winner, the Merced, (Calif.,) Sun-Star, came in second behind the Southeast Missourian this year.

The Southeast Missourian's coverage of business and economic news received first-place recognition for a third consecutive year. Key to the award was Ray Owen's weekly business coverage on Mondays. Judges said, "Nice features with great photos; good roundups of local business briefs; variety of topics covered."

The newspaper received first-place honors for best coverage of literacy for the second year in a row. The annual YELL effort propelled the newspaper to the top of that category.

"Top rate!!," the judges wrote. "Great coverage, inspirational stories, quality printing and fund raising for literacy efforts. YELL had it all. A tough act to follow."

The Missourian's sports pages also earned a first-place honor. "Lots of sports, good writing, good photos and good graphics on basketball team season wrapup," the judges said. They also liked inclusion of outdoor coverage as part of the sports package.

A first-place honor was earned in best use of color. "Head and shoulders above other entries in this category," the judges said. "Excellent color reproduction and creativity in use of color."

A story about a prison escape written by former reporters Scott Moyers and Roy Keller won first place for best spot news story. "Excellent detailed story, timely and relevant to safety of the community backed with a great photo," the judges said.

Other Southeast Missourian awards:

-- Second place, excellence in typography -- "Headlines and subheads convey all the key information in a pleasing manner. A very good-looking newspaper."

-- Second place, best writing -- "Appears to do a good job of reflecting the community with solid writers who dig for details. I especially liked (former reporter) Heidi Nieland's personal pieces on losing weight and vacation."

-- Third place, best use of photographs -- "Interesting appealing layouts. Large photos are a positive."

-- Third place, best coverage of health-related issues -- "The pages do a good job with a comprehensive health report, both breaking news and issues."

-- Honorable mentions: best coverage of performing arts, best sports photo, best photo essay, and best editorial page.

At a Friday night banquet, Dalton Wright, president of Lebanon Publishing Co. in Lebanon, Mo., was installed president of the NNA.

Southeast Missourian Managing Editor Joni Adams picked up the awards. The Southeast Missourian was one of the top award-winners of all newspaper entrants.

More than 3,000 individual entries from both weekly and daily papers were judged. The contest was for 1996 editions.

The NNA is the oldest and largest national newspaper association in the United States. It dates to 1885, and has more than 4,600 member newspapers. Total circulation for all members is more than 33 million. Membership includes most of the weekly and more than one-third of all dailies in the United States.