The Mirror News wins 18 MCCPA awards at statewide Student Newspaper Contest

Release Date
A picture of Lillian Grantham holding a copy of The Mirror News.

HFC’s student-run newspaper, The Mirror News, won 18 awards across multiple categories at this year’s Michigan Community College Press Association Annual Student Newspaper Contest, which was hosted by Central Michigan University.

“Our students display incredible skills in journalism, and I congratulate them for a job well done in their news reporting. The MCCPA awards are evidence of our students’ journalistic talents,” said HFC Director of Student Activities Cassandra Fluker.

“As the editor-in-chief, I am so proud of the Mirror News staff for all of our accomplishments,” said HFC graduating student Lillian Grantham. “We all worked so hard this school year, and our efforts definitely paid off. It is rewarding to know that our hard work is recognized by a qualified community of judges. The Mirror News was given an honorable mention under both the ‘News Website’ and the ‘General Excellence’ categories. I could not be prouder. The Mirror News is on to big things!”

Awards won

The MCCPA newspaper contest is open to all 28 community colleges in the state of Michigan. The Mirror News won in the following categories:

News Writing
First Place: Amy Van Male
Honorable Mention: Ali Seblini

In-Depth Enterprise Reporting
Honorable Mention: The Mirror News staff

Feature Story Second Place: Lillian Grantham

Column – Humor
First Place: Nusrat Atika

Sports News Story
Honorable Mention: Lillian Grantham

Original Comic – Entertainment
Third Place: Katherine Warden
Honorable Mention: Edgar Gutierrez

News Photo
Third Place: Katherine Warden

Informational Graphic
Third Place: Edgar Gutierrez
Honorable Mention: Joanna Chairez

Headline Writing
Honorable Mention: Tyler Stewart

Cover Design
First Place: Lillian Grantham

Inside Page Design
Second Place: Lila Bierman

Multimedia Reporting
Second Place: Fatima Nkata, Tyler Stewart, Katherine Warden

Video Production or On-line Audio Slide
Honorable Mention: Joanna Chairez

News Website
Honorable Mention: The Mirror News staff

General Excellence
Honorable Mention: The Mirror News staff

A proud advisor and editor-in-chief

“I am extremely proud of the students and all their hard work on the student newspaper this year,” said English professor and Mirror News faculty advisor Dr. Peter Kim. “Overcoming many challenges with producing a newspaper during the pandemic, I am so pleased that the MCCPA has recognized the amazingly talented HFC students who make up The Mirror News team.”

“A few of my pieces were recognized, but I wrote a piece about abandoned ducks and the Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary in the fall that won second place under the ‘Feature Story’ category,” said Grantham. “I am the most proud of this accolade because I have worked so hard, both helping abandoned ducks and on the newspaper, that it feels amazing to be acknowledged for that. I have been feeding abandoned ducks at Ford Field for 1½ years now and am very dedicated and passionate about it. I am happy that this story stuck out to the judges because it’s been an important part of my life for a long time.”

She continued: “Now that my time as being the editor-in-chief is coming to a close, I want to thank Dr. Kim and the whole staff for all of your hard work and support over the school year. It was a great honor to be a part of The Mirror News, and I hope the best for everyone next year!”