The American Press won seven news and advertising awards during Tuesday’s Louisiana Press Association’s 2022 Better Newspaper Competition.

Columnist Jim Beam placed third in editorial for his piece on former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney’s rare move to alienate herself from her party during the investigation of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Executive editor Crystal Stevenson and sports writer Rodrick Anderson placed third in the best website category.

Classified manager Kim King placed third in the best web project category for her launch of the SWLA celebrations website.

“This is a very creative way to adapt a traditional newspaper staple,” judges wrote. “Good for evolving audiences.”

Photographer Rick Hickman received two third-place honors — one for best feature photo of McNeese State University cheerleaders flipping head over heels and the other for best photo package for his Stations of the Cross package.

The American Press also placed second and third in the special sections category — for its high school preview section and its hurricane preparedness guide, respectively.

“High school football is clearly very important in Southwest Louisiana,” the judges wrote. “Hence this 32-page preview of staff produced copy, statistics, good game photography, team photos, schedules. It took a lot of work.”

The MDDC Press Association — which represents Maryland, Delaware and the Washington, D.C. areas — judged the 30 LPA member publications that entered the contest, along with college, and university student newspapers. The American Press competes in Division I against The Advocate in Baton Rouge and The Times Picayune/New Orleans Advocate.