BATON ROUGE – The American press won 18 information and publicity awards in the Louisiana Press Association’s Better Newspaper 2020 competition, including top spots for writing, page design, and advertising.

Retired writer Lisa Addison won two first place awards for writing. In the feature films category, she took top honors for her story about Chris Dobbs, who survived a stroke during the pandemic. In the chronic category, she was recognized for writing about her brother-in-law’s tireless efforts to help their friends and family after Hurricane Laura.

Editor-in-chief Crystal Stevenson won first place in page design for her “Perfection” layout after LSU’s championship victory.

Graphic designer Earl Vital ranked first and third in the design of multiple advertiser pages. The American press has in fact swept this category away. Vital’s first prize went to his Veterans Day package “Salute Our Veterans”. He was awarded third place for the “Remember Mom” Mother’s Day packaging design. Graphic designer Maria Torres received second place in the same category for her Father’s Day “Remember Dad” package.

Photographer Rick Hickman landed two third places in the main photography and best group photo categories. Her winning photo was of store openings after Hurricane Laura and the best photo package was of the funeral of a K9 who died of heatstroke after successfully chasing a suspect.

Editor-in-chief Donna Price received the second and page designer Nick Walsh the third in the title category. Price’s winning entry was “Hemp, Hemp, Hurray” while Walsh’s was “Phillies Fever: Don’t Catch It”.

Sports writer Scooter Hobbs took second place in the chronic category for his article on the role of mayonnaise in the hierarchy of condiments.

Editor John Guidroz ranked third in reporting for his article about a family lucky to be alive after being exposed to carbon monoxide.

Retired editor Jim Beam ranked third in the editorial for encouraging residents to stay home during the pandemic.

Stevenson and sports writer Rodrick Anderson placed third in web design.

American press also placed second and third in the special section and second for general excellence categories.

the American press competes in Division I against The Advocate in Baton Rouge, The Times Picayune / New Orleans Advocate, Daily Advertiser in Lafayette and Daily Courier in Houma.