There are many components of assembling and distributing a newspaper every day, which is why it’s important to credit the people who make it possible.

Three newspaper carriers from the Times News placed at the PNA Foundation’s Newspaper Carrier of the Year contest. The contest helps recognize the outstanding performance of newspaper carriers throughout Pennsylvania. There are three divisions of the contest: youth, adult and senior.

Vivian Horn of Lehighton placed first in the youth division, and Serenity Acevedo of Jim Thorpe placed second. Palma Michlovsky of Nesquehoning placed second in the adult division.

Each winner received an award certificate, cash award and two undated tickets to Hersheypark.

The application process began in the spring. Employees from different newspapers nominate the carriers and submit their information to the PNA Foundation. The foundation notifies the newspaper if the candidates get selected, then the candidate is informed and fills out an application, along with a picture of him or her delivering the newspaper. Then, the foundation sends another notification to the top finalists and invites them to attend the “Luncheon of Champions” at the Hershey Country Club, which is where the winners were announced.

The luncheon was held on July 10. Vivian and Palma attended the luncheon with their families.

All three have worked for the Times News for several years: Serenity, four years; Vivian, four and a half years; and Palma, eight and a half years.

They deliver between 50 and 100 papers a day, six days a week in all weather conditions.

Despite the occasional aggravating weather, each of them developed friendships with the people they deliver, which makes their work worthwhile.

“My favorite part of the job is meeting people,” Vivian said. “I’ve come to know many of the people on my route.”