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Release Date: 
Tuesday, May 11, 2021

The Mirror News wins 6 of 12 categories in statewide MCCPA awards

A headshot of Rose Albayat.

Recently, The Mirror News – HFC’s independent student-newspaper – won seven awards across multiple categories at this year’s Michigan Community College Press Association (MCCPA) newspaper contest, which was hosted by Central Michigan University.

Most notably, Rose Albayat won Student Journalist of the Year.

Albayat wasn’t expecting to win. Then she got an email from HFC English professor Dr. Peter Kim, the newspaper’s faculty advisor.

“When Dr. Kim emailed the announcement to me and the rest of The Mirror News team, I was really shocked and happy,” she said.

Albayat graduated from HFC at the end of 2020, earning her associate degree in liberal arts. In addition to The Mirror News, she was also a member of the Henry Ford II Honors Program and president of the Student Environmental Association. After graduating from HFC, she transferred to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“I had so many ideas, but I didn’t know where and how to start,” she said. “Dr. Kim gave me the opportunity to work at The Mirror News and taught me how to express my journalistic ideas in a professional way. Winning first place as the Student Journalist of the Year is definitely something amazing and encouraging and I don’t plan to stop there!”

Winning 6 of 12 categories

The MCCPA newspaper contest is open to community colleges throughout the state of Michigan. This year, The Mirror News won in six of 12 categories. The number of categories were reduced due to the pandemic limiting on-campus activities.

Student Journalist of the Year
First Place: Rose Albayat

First Amendment Reporting
Second Place: Muna Saleh

Editorial
Second Place: Katherine Warden
Honorable Mention: Jessica Schrader

Photo Essay
Third Place: Katherine Warden

Headline Writing
Third Place: Tyler Stewart

In-Depth Enterprise Reporting
Third Place (Tied): Olivia Grantham

“I am so proud and impressed by the students who despite so many challenges during the pandemic were able to do amazing work and continue to be dedicated to The Mirror News,” said Kim. “I know they will go on to be incredibly successful in their future pursuits.”