The editorial staff at The Papers Inc., recently won three awards at the Hoosier State Press Foundation Better Newspaper Contest. Additional Nathan Pace and Deb Patterson won individual awards. Shown in front, from the left, are Anita Bias and Deb Patterson. In the second row are Marissa Sweatland and Lauren Zeugner. In back are Phoebe Muthart, Lillian Dwyer and Nate Pace.

News Release

MILFORD — Nathan Pace, Deb Patterson and the staff of The Mail-Journal, the flagship publication for The Papers Inc., were recipients of awards during the annual Hoosier State Press Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest.

The yearly contest, divided between two divisions of non-daily publications and two divisions of daily publications, allows members of the state press association to submit articles, photos, headlines, publications and websites for judging.

This year, there were 21 categories available to enter.

Pace received a second-place award for his article “A century later, Syracuse star to be a hall of famer,” in the Best Sports News or Feature Coverage. The article was published on Dec. 6, 2023.

Patterson received first place with the submission of “Pavilion and cabin dedicated at Wawasee Lakes Celebration” published Aug. 2, 2023, in the Best News Coverage With No Deadline Pressure category; first place in Best Portrait with a photo titled “Taking over” published on July 12, 2023, and second place with a photo titled “Still time for summer fun,” published Aug. 23, 2023.

She also received second place in the Best Business/Economic News Coverage category with the entry “Todd Realty to become ERA Crossroads,” published Dec. 20, 2023 and second place in the Best In-Depth Feature Or Feature Package with the article “Engagement committee armed with information,” published April 12, 2023 and third place with the article “61 accidents, 2 fatalities in 20 years,” published Oct. 18, 2023.

The staff swept the Best Special Section category. The annual “Welcome to the Lakes” edition on July 12, 2023, received first, with the Mermaid Festival publication in 2023, taking second and the annual Syracuse-Wawasee Independence Day publication received third place.