The print publication and the HiLite Online have earned the distinction of Crown Finalist for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s (CSPA) 2013 Scholastic Awards in the new category of hybrid publications, which is reserved for newspapers who integrate print and online media as one. The HiLite was one of 16 hybrid publications across the nation to earn finalist status. The distinction puts the HiLite in contention for a Gold or Silver Crown when recipients are announced in March. Last year, the HiLite earned separate Gold Crowns in print and online categories.

Judging, which took place at Columbia University Dec. 8 to 10, was based on the 2011-2012 edition of the HiLite and the current website. The panel in charge of evaluating publications included professional journalists and journalism professors.

According to the CSPA, 1,344 digital, newspapers, magazines and yearbooks published during the 2011-2012 academic year were eligible for judging in the 2013 Crown Awards Program.

Senior Victor Xu is the current HiLite editor in chief. He is joined on the editorial management team by seniors Natalie Maier, Melinda Song, Tony Tan and Ryan Zukerman. Aaron Kearney and Patrick Tan are this year’s website editors. Last year’s print management team was editor in chief Laura Peng (Yale University), Patrick Bryant (Wabash University), Monica Cheng (Northwestern University), Yameen Hameed (IU) and Caroline Zhang (Harvard University). Jim Streisel advises the HiLite.