After judging online high school newspapers during the fall semester, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association recognized The Feather as one of 18 Online Crown finalists, Feb. 16.
The staff will receive either a Silver or Gold Crown Award during the Awards Convocation of the CSPA’s 87th annual Spring Scholastic Convention at Columbia University in New York City, March 18.
In addition to The Feather, the newspapers of three other California schools qualified for the 2011 honor: Palo Alto High, Berkeley High and The Harker Upper School (San Jose).
Last year, The Feather won the only Gold Crown given to California schools, regardless of size, and was awarded a Silver Crown in 2009.
In the light of these awards, adviser Greg Stobbe is eager to recognize the staff as one of dedication and diligence.
“I am proud of The Feather staff,” Stobbe said. “It has been an honor to work alongside students who are passionate about learning the art of publications. They continue to set the bar of excellence higher each semester and exceed the expectations of their adviser. I view them as an all-star team, and I mean it. They are a collection of common people who achieve uncommon results each day.”
Editor-in-Chief Austin Ward, ’11, appreciates the staff’s consistent effort to repeat previous successes while looking for ways to innovate and improve the newspaper.
“It takes a lot of work to win an Online Crown, but it takes even more work to win three Online Crown Awards in a row,” Ward said. “More than anything, I am proud of how our staff has been able to consistently produce an award-winning publication. Our editors and writers have demonstrated that they are willing to put in the time and effort to make The Feather better each year.”
As a two-year staffer and one of the few who traveled to New York last year to accept the Gold Crown, columnist Elise Porter, ’11, recognizes how The Feather and its staff have improved over the course of the past year.
“Going to New York last year was a great experience; I was really proud of our work then, and I am even more proud now,” Porter said. “As a staff, we have stayed motivated and continued to write great articles. Last year’s staff needed a lot of motivating from the editors, but this year we have done a better job keeping pace without constant prodding.”
For more information on The Feather, read the Dec. 17, 2010 article, All-American distinction lauds Feather.