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Best Student Government
Best College Newspaper
Other Best of Categories

     If you’re sick of impeachment hearings, tired from mid-terms, and fed up with all the negativity that seems pervasive in the press today, check out Florida Leader’s 10th annual "Best of Florida Schools" Awards. Florida Leader chooses to celebrate the achievements, not the flaws, of Florida colleges and students. This 10th annual edition includes nearly 120 amazing, inspiring, and unbelievably cool categories—about 20 more than ever before.
     The "Best of Florida Schools" Awards debuted back in 1989, with just 24 categories. Back then, our editors sometimes used the highly scientific "einey-meenie-miney-mo" method to pick their faves. Now, however, the Florida Leader’s "Best of" search and selection process is as complex as filing taxes.
     Now, Student Governments and campus newspapers must submit detailed applications to compete, and our editors verify their sometimes lofty claims with follow-up interviews with informed sources who really know the inside story. Our seriously fatigued, stressed, and slightly crabby editors and interns literally have scoured the state to find the truth and nothing but the truth. We’ve climbed over piles of PR releases and conducted about a zillion interviews with campus leaders and educators to get the scoop on what’s right with colleges and universities across the Sunshine State.
     Back in 1989, Florida Leader was read at only 31 of Florida’s 80 major higher-ed institutions. Now, Florida Leader’s readership extends to all 80 schools, plus their branch campuses, as well as to all Florida legislators, and 500 fellow members of the media. Now, the "Best of" winners get tremendous media exposure statewide, and Sunshine Network will air a TV show based on the awards this spring.
     Almost all of the state’s 80 major colleges and universities are featured in at least one "Best of" category. However, if your school wasn’t included this year, you’re welcome to contribute ideas for our big Y2K issue (we’re furiously checking lines of code to make sure that the magazine won’t disintegrate when the clock strikes midnight on January 1).
     A bit of advice to all of you "Best of Florida Schools" first-timers: we editors tend to look favorably on those who flatter us incessantly, send their entries in perfumed envelopes, and slip us enough $50 handshakes (that’s up from $20 last year—sorry, blame inflation). Seriously, we’d love to consider your organization, Student Government, or service project for next year’s "Best of Florida Schools." Get the nomination forms at Florida Leader’s web site, www.floridaleader.com, call (352) 373-6907 or toll-free (888) 547-6310, or send e-mail to oxendine@csi.com.

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