Newspaper earns CSPA Medalist distinction

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) recently named the 2007-08 HiLite, Carmel High School’s student newspaper, as a Gold Medalist winner in its annual newspaper critique. In addition, the paper earned All-Columbian honors in all four of the critique’s individual categories – coverage, writing and editing, graphic presentation and business operations. The HiLite earned a total of 963 out of a possible 1,000 points.

According to the anonymous judge’s comments, “I love this paper…You obviously have content down and the equipment and so much going for you. This paper is awesome…A lot of work goes into this publication. Period. Bravo.”

This ranking is a preliminary evaluation and, according to the organization’s literature, “(has) no bearing on consideration” for the CSPA’s most prestigious award, the Crown. However, historically, the HiLite has performed well in the Crown competition after receiving favorable critiques in the Medalist round. The newspaper earned Gold Crowns, the CSPA’s highest award, in 1995, 1999 and 2005; and it earned Silver Crowns in 1994, 2004 and 2006.

Last year’s editors include the following students: editor in chief Jaclyn Chen ‘08 (now at the University of Pennsylvania) and managing editors Grave Baranowski ’08 (now at Duke University) and John Shi ’08 (now at Dartmouth College).