The Greenville Advocate was recognized with 10 awards during the Alabama Press Association's Annual Summer Convention held last weekend at the Perdido Beach Resort.

The winners were announced in May.

67 newspapers submitted 2,733 entries in the annual contest. The Georgia Press Association judged the entries.

Competing in the large weekly newspaper division, The Greenville Advocate placed third in the Best Public Service category for its in-depth special report focusing on sexual predators.

&#8220Newspapers are about serving the public,” said Kevin Pearcey, Group Managing Editor of Greenville Newspapers LLC. &#8220The sexual predator package spotlighted the nature of these criminals, while also offering insight into the devastation they can cause children and families through perpetrating their crimes.”

Journalists from across Alabama converged on the Gulf Coast for the two-day conference. Guest speakers included famed journalist and Alabamian Rick Bragg and Kathryn Tucker Windham, whose 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffery has delighted children and adults for decades. Several politicians also attended the conference, including Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, the Democratic Party's nominee for Governor in this fall's general election.

Attendees were able to take advantage of the warm weather, either by lounging by the resort's expansive pool or beachside.

&#8220It was a fun trip,” said Pearcey. &#8220Most editors and publishers are too busy during the year to actually sit down with their colleagues and share ideas and conversation. It was nice to be able to do that in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. It truly is the people who make this business.”

Along with their third place finish in the Best Public Service category, the Advocate won four first place awards.

n In the Best Business Story or Column category, Kevin Taylor, Jay Thomas, publisher Dennis Palmer and Regina Grayson, were each recognized for a collaborative story about Pioneer Electric Cooperative's selling of Acme Gas.

n In Best Sports Single Event Story, Taylor won first place for &#8220Bound for Birmingham” about the Brantley football team's march through the Class 1A state playoffs.

n Palmer won Best News Photo for capturing a poignant shot of Greenville National Guardsmen Toby Norwood embracing his wife, Nokia, before leaving for a tour in Iraq.

n The Advocate was also honored as having the Best Presswork among all Division C entries.

In other categories, Greenville Newspapers won:

n Second place for Best Layout and Design.

n Second place for Best Local Economic Coverage.

n Second place for Best Sports Page.

n Third place for Best Spot News Story, (&#8220Former band director faces molestation charges” by Kevin Taylor).

n Second place in Best Feature Story in Division D for &#8220Area Poker player to be featured on ESPN” by Kevin Pearcey. The article appeared in the Advocate's sister publication, The Luverne Journal.

n Third place for Best Sports Feature Story for &#8220These chicks can race” by Kevin Taylor.