Two Missouri Southern State University editors have something to write about.

Jerry Manter, editor-in-chief for The Chart, and Kayla Rinker, editor for Crossroads: The Magazine, attended the Region 7 convention for the Society of Professional Journalists on March 27 in Kansas City. At the convention, SPJ awarded the regional Mark of Excellence Awards for student publications. Universities from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa competed for the awards.

The Chart received first place in the region for the Best All-Around Non-Daily Newspaper.

The Chart now qualifies to be considered for the national competition in September in New York City. Issues submitted for competition were from 2003.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Manter said. “To be named the best non-daily newspaper in four states means a great deal to myself and the staff.”

Crossroads: The Magazine received a second place in the region for the Best Student Magazine (published more than once a year).

International Crossroads, the Cuba issue published in 2003, received third place for Best Student Magazine.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by two such prestigious journalism organizations,” Rinker said. “The time and energy put forth to produce a quality magazine was well worth it, not only for our own college education and laboratory experience, but for the information and entertainment of others.”

In the fall of 2003, Crossroads: The Magazine also received a national first-place award for house ads from the Associated Collegiate Press. The ad, “For a good time call Crossroads,” ran in the spring 2003 issue of the magazine.

The staff developed the concept and Andy Tevis, director of photography, designed the winning ad.

“It was actually surprising to win that award, because the ad took so little time to make,” Tevis said. “I guess it goes to show that simplicity is sometimes the best.”