Last week, the annual Michigan Press Association took place at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The two-day conference offered students and professional journalists the chance to meet, network with each other and attend professional development sessions geared toward journalists of varying experience.

The MPA also offers 11 scholarships for senior students who will soon enter the world of journalism. Adam Knorr, Grand Valley Lanthorn sports section editor, was a recipient of the Michigan Press Association Foundation scholarship. He received $1,000 to further his education as a journalist.

The conference also featured a contest for exceptional journalism with the College Better Newspaper Contest that the Lanthorn staff took part in and came out with a few awards.

The Lanthorn was recognized by the Michigan Press Association in the following categories:

Best Writer

3rd Place, Audra Gamble

Best Photographer

3rd Place, Kevin Sielaff

Best Feature or Sports Photo

First Place, Kevin Sielaff, “Take a Breath”

Original Cartoon Editorial

Second Place, Leah Fishwick, “Fall breather”

Third Place, Leah Fishwick, “Recycling superhero”

Special Advertising Section

Second Place, Marissa Winter and Ryan Muenchow, “Guide for going out”

The Lanthorn staff extends their congratulations to Knorr for his foundation scholarship and to the rest of the winners in the various categories.