Newspaper wins seven MCPA awards

By Larry Hook
The Lookout Adviser

The Lookout newspaper staff at LCC earned seven awards in the 2022 College Better Newspaper Contest, sponsored by the Michigan College Press Association. The award winners were announced Thursday, March 16.

Members of the Colorado Press Association reviewed 579 entries submitted by 16 Michigan college newspapers during 2022. Lansing Community College competed in Division 3 of the competition, for newspapers which publish less than weekly.

Julie Newell, the editor in chief of The Lookout in 2022, earned four awards in the contest. She received first place for her sports feature titled “Members of the cross country champs share their memories,” first place for her front-page design titled “Happy Halloween,” second place for her photo essay on the Lansing Silver Bells in the City event, and honorable mention for a feature photo titled “Holiday Kickoff.”

Newell was also named on a second-place award for best online newspaper. Others who contributed to that award were Chloe Gregg, Jacob Zokvic, Arianne Olayinka and Zena Farhan.

Newell, who worked for The Lookout for three and a half years before graduating from LCC in December of 2022, commented on the awards she and her staff mates received.

"I am honored and excited to have received so many awards for my work at The Lookout,” Newell said. “It is always a great feeling to be recognized for the hard work that you do.

“I am also very excited and proud of The Lookout staff for winning second place for the best online newspaper award. No matter what trials or struggles we faced, our staff persevered and has always managed to put out great articles. I am blessed to have worked with such an amazing group of people at The Lookout."

Other award recipients for The Lookout in the MCPA competition were:

• Jacob Zokvic, third place for a cartoon titled, “Positive, Negative.’
• Chloe Gregg, honorable mention for a feature story titled, “Love of chemistry keeps job fun for Qi.”

MCPA President Joanne Williams, associate professor of journalism and mass communication at Olivet College, spoke about the importance of the MCPA’s annual college journalism competition.

 "It is more important than ever to recognize and encourage good, impactful journalism,” Williams said. “That is what our college newspapers are doing, and with support and recognition from contests and professionals in the field, that will continue. Our experienced faculty and advisers will see to it as well.”