The Daily News had a strong showing in this year’s “Better Newspaper Contest” for the Louisiana Press Association.

The Daily News, which competed in Division 2, took third place in General Excellence. The newspaper won a total of 22 awards — seven first-place awards, five second-place awards and 10 third-place awards.

“I am proud of all of the hard work of our employees to earn these awards,” Publisher Justin Schuver said. “Bogalusa competes in Division 2, which is a division made up of several newspapers that are far larger than ours. For us to take third place in the General Excellence category, it is a testament to the respect that we have among our peers and colleagues.”

First place in General Excellence went to The Daily Comet of Thibodaux, and second place went to The Daily Iberian of New Iberia.

Daily News graphic designer Kim Edwards had an especially strong showing, winning 14 awards in advertising design. Five of those awards were for first place, and Edwards swept all three awards (first through third place) in two categories — Best Ad Campaign and Best Success Story of an Ad.

Edwards’ other first-place awards were for Staff Generated Ad, Best Online Advertising — Single Ad, and Best Multiple Advertiser Page.

“Kim’s awards over the years can cover an entire wall of our building,” Schuver said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the great work that she and advertising manager Carol Case do every day for our customers.”

Other first-place awards won by The Daily News included Best Front Page (by Schuver) and Best Sports Photo (by Chris Kinkaid).

Daily News columnist Jan Penton Miller took third place in the Sam Hanna Award competition for Best Regular Column.