Comment: GPNHS' North Pointe
earns national Gold Crown award
With good news, you don’t usually ask for a second opinion, but the North Pointe staff received one last week when they were awarded the Gold Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University in New York.
This follows a Pacemaker Award last fall from the National Scholastic Press Association. Just two high school newspapers earned both honors this year, which are the highest awards given nationally. El Estoque of Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, Calif., is the other.
The paper’s executive editors said that while the recognition is an honor, it’s not what drives them.
“Ten years from now, I will remember winning the awards and going to different conferences, but that won’t be the memory that stands out most in my mind,” co-editor Michelle Ewart said. “Being a part of something greater than myself, something that others read and respect, is something I’ll always remember.”
Managing editor Kayla Snitgen said, “I will remember the place where I found my self-esteem, where I learned to be a leader and the fun I had along the way.”
Co-editor Christine Bedway said, “I may not remember each issue or every story that I wrote, but I will remember the messages that we tried to convey through this paper and I think that’s the most important part of all of this.”
Only 13 high school newspapers nationwide earned a Gold Crown this year.
Faculty adviser Andrew Taylor said the four top editors are most responsible for the transformation the publication has made in the past three years.
Ewart said, “When I first started, few people even bothered to read the paper, and it didn’t have the best reputation. But as the staff has grown and developed, the paper’s quality has increased exponentially.”
Bedway said, “It’s been incredible to watch. The North Pointe used to be a paper that the community did not take seriously and now it’s really great to hear people talk about our stories and tell us that they look forward to reading our paper.”
Ewart said, “Our writing, as well as our reporting and layouts, have improved more than anyone thought possible, enough for us to be one of the best and most highly respected papers in the country, an accomplishment I don’t think any of us dreamed of.”
“I expected to be one of the best after 10 years, not three,” Taylor said. “That shows the quality of the students that have led this team. They cannot imagine how much I’ve come to respect them.”
Snitgen said, “I guess I’ve grown as the paper has grown, so you feel it happening, but it still surprises you as you look back.”
The publication is currently interviewing candidates for the next team of editors, who will begin their terms May 1.
“Obviously we were all proud about winning the Pacemaker award, but winning a Gold Crown on top of that is not only a source of pride for the editors and the older kids on staff, but is really encouraging for the next generation of reporters and editors,” managing editor Emily Biegas said. “It’s really strong incentive to maintain the quality of the paper both design-wise and writing-wise. Mr. Taylor does such a good job training the staff that I’m confident the paper will continue on this path in the future and will only improve over the years.”
Bedway echoed Biegas’ praise.
“People don’t understand that North has always had great writers in the building. What the journalism program needed was a leader like Mr. Taylor to guide that talent in the right direction. The paper will continue in this direction with his guidance and passion for what he teaches.”
The staff continues to build on its success, having launched a website last fall (myGPN.org).
“I hope this win will also be good news for our website,” Biegas said. “It already gets hits from places all over the world, but now even more people will be drawn to view and comment on the equally high-quality content.”
This is Taylor’s eighth Crown Award, stretching back to college, but a first for North High School.
