The Mexico Ledger won two awards, including a first-place plaque, in the 2021 Missouri Better Newspaper Contest sponsored by the Missouri Press Association.

General Manager Nathan Lilley received first place in the Best Story About the Outdoors category for his story on the new all-inclusive playground that opened at Plunkett Park in Mexico. The judge’s comments were “Park for all - great information! I commend you on including the history of the park.”

Lilley also received a second-place award for his photo of a line of duty funeral procession held for Richard Wright.

The judge said, “respectful tribute to a fallen hero.”

The awards were presented Saturday, Sept. 27, at the MPA Convention held in Excelsior Springs. 

Schmidt elected to MPA board

Also at last week’s MPA convention, Ledger Publisher Tim Schmidt was elected to the board of directors. He will serve a one-year term beginning in January.

Roger Dillon, publisher of the Shannon County Current Wave, Eminence, was elected president of the 2022 board. He will succeed Liz Irwin, publisher for Missouri Lawyers Media, St. Louis, as MPA president Jan. 1. Irwin will continue on the MPA Board of Directors through 2022 as immediate past president.

Other 2022 MPA officers and directors elected Sept. 24, were First Vice President Beth Durreman, Perry County Republic-Monitor, Perryville; Second Vice President Amos Bridges, Springfield News-Leader; Secretary Marion Jordon, Sr., The Kansas City Globe; and Treasurer Bryan Chester, Columbia Missourian.

Others serving on the board in 2022 will be Lucas Presson, Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau; Gary Castor, Jefferson City News Tribune; Bryan Jones, Versailles Leader-Statesman; Kevin Jones, St. Louis American; Peggy Scott, Jefferson County Leader, Festus; Continuing on the MPA Board in 2022 will be directors: Hannah Spaar, The Odessan, Odessa; Donna Bischoff, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; and Sandy Nelson, Courier Tribune, Liberty.