The Tablet’s annual High School Press Awards ceremony, held May 10 at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s offices in Park Slope, honored some of the outstanding journalism in school newspapers. For the first time since the event’s inauguration, a new category was introduced to the schools – “Best Multimedia Package.” Fontbonne Hall Academy, Bay Ridge, took the first place title with their submission, “The Veteran’s Day Scare,” which documented an event that took place Veteran’s Day weekend, when a text message was shared throughout the student body that led some to believe that Fontbonne would be the target of violence. 

Catholic high school journalists from around the diocese were invited to the annual friendly competition. They were judged on categories from Best Front Page to Best Editorial Cartoon to Best Feature Story. The Tablet’s editorial staff assessed the submissions, based on standards from design to professionalism to interesting profiles.

This year, five school publications participated: Archbishop Molloy H.S.’s The Stanner, Briarwood; Fontbonne Hall Academy’s The Folio, Bay Ridge; St. Agnes Academic H.S.’s Veritas, College Point;  Saint Saviour H.S.’s Skyline, Park Slope; and The Mary Louis Academy’s Mariel, Jamaica Estates.

An opening prayer inspired by St. Francis DeSales was led by Tablet writer Antonina Zielinska.

“St. Francis DeSales spread the truth of Jesus to everyone’s life, like you do, and no matter what truths we say, it’s always the work of God,” Zielinska said. “May we realize the power of the press, be inspired by his zeal for spreading the truth.”

A keynote address was given by the Akoto Ofori-Atta, who has worked in the media industry for years and is managing editor at The Trace, a nonprofit news organization that covers the issue of gun violence. She also oversaw and directed “Since Parkland,” The Trace’s student journalism project which covered portraits of young victims of school shootings.

““I’ve been in journalism for over 10 years, and [“Since Parkland”] is the most impactful and rewarding project I’ve ever done, meaningful and award-worthy work. The most ambitious work I ever did was when I was a student journalist,” Ofari-Atta said. “As you guys think through what you might do in your careers, think about the power of journalism and what you could do in journalism right now… and remember that there are important stories that need to be told, and not enough of us doing it.”

Student journalists were inspired by Ofori-Atta’s speech.

“Journalism is absolutely so important, because the role of the media is to inform and educate, and then advocacy comes with information,” said Lauren Kline, a senior at Molloy. “It’s a way to not only stay connected to politicians and leaders, but to stay connected to each other. Words are the most dangerous weapons – but also, the most powerful.”

Melissa Enaje, the Tablet’s youth editor, moderated the awards ceremony, in which five participating schools were honored in 13 categories, including Best Op-Ed, Best Feature, Best Sports Story and Best Column, an award named after late Tablet writer Roger Payne.

The Mary Louis Academy’s student paper took home the big win for General Excellence. The newest category, Best Multimedia Package, was awarded to Fontbonne Hall Academy.

“It’s the whole team that makes it happen, and I wouldn’t be able to make it happen without the whole team. It’s really rewarding to see all the hard work throughout the year pay off, and something to look forward to next year too – passing it down to future editors,” said Catherine Kostigan, a senior at TMLA.

 

And the Winners Are…

 

Best Front Page

1. “Blue Angels Soar With Spirit” – Veritas, St. Agnes Academic H.S.
2. “Farewell Forty-One” – The Mary Louis Academy, “Mariel”
3. “Molloy Fashion Show 2019: Dress For Success” – Archbishop Molloy H.S., The Stanner

 

Best News Story

1. “Maddie’s Movement” by Juliana Estevez, St. Agnes, Veritas
2. “G.E.R.L.L. Power!” By Sarah Doyle and Diana Maneri, Archbishop Molloy H.S., The Stanner
3. “Flames in the Golden State” by Flora Sengupta, . Agnes Academic H.S., Veritas

Best Feature Story

1. “Beginning Anew in a New Country” by Juliana Estevez, St. Agnes Academic H.S., Veritas
2. “Become a Poll Worker ASAP” by Juliana Giacone, Archbishop Molloy H.S., Stanner
3. Third Place: “Social Media Shock Over Celebrity Engagements” by Katarina Cordero, TMLA, Mariel

Best Editorial

1. “The College Admission Scandal: A Bitter Taste for College-Bound Seniors” by Jenna Giamarino, St. Agnes, Veritas
   Honorable Mention: “Farewell Mariel – April Fool’s Edition” By TMLA, Mariel

 Best Op-Ed

1. “Asian Representation in the Media” by Shreya Pandit – St. Agnes, Veritas
2. “The Nonexistent Future of the Republican Party” by Alexander Gellos, Molloy H.S., Stanner
3. “Kavanaugh v. Dr. Ford: Highlighting Sexual Harassment” by Samantha Hughes, St. Saviour, Skyline

Best Personality Profile

1. “Taking the Lead: Arianna Gordon” by Shreya Pandit – St. Agnes Academic H.S., Veritas
2. “Mr. Tricarico Touts the Vegan Lifestyle” by Samantha Hughes – Saint Saviour H.S., Skyline
3. “A Dream Come True” by Sumeet Kaur – St. Agnes Academic H.S.

Best Column – The Roger Payne Memorial Award

1. “Farming at Saint Saviour” + Lab Update by Grace Rosen – St. Saviour, Skyline
2. “Real Reviews” by Luis Real “Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse” and “Venom”
3. “HeART Cottage Corner” by Rene Walker – TMLA, Mariel

Best Sports Story

1. “Swim-tastic Season” by Stephanie Starzynski and Chloe Chang – TMLA, Mariel
2. “Strokes of Victory: Molloy Swimmers Impress Again” by Alex DeFeo
3. “Blue Angel Cheerleaders Take Gold” by Skylah Lorenzo – St. Agnes, Veritas

Best Photograph

1. “Joy to the World, Stanner Players Perform” – photo by Jennifer Marry – Molloy, The Stanner
2. “Saving Lives With Pints” – TMLA, Mariel
3. “Glee Club Singing” by Katherine Colin-Keita – TMLA, Mariel

Best Multiple-Photo Display

1. “Around the World in 80 Minutes: Cultural Harmony 2019” – TMLA, Mariel
2. “A Unique Artist” – TMLA, Mariel
3. “Stanner Walk With Purpose” by Sydney Bryant

Best Editorial Cartoon

1. “Naomi Osaka” by Charunya Bheem – TMLA
2. “Pardoning the Turkey” by Nina Kropf – TMLA
3. “Back 2 School Things” by Saint Saviour

Best Multimedia Package

“The Veteran’s Day Scare” by Jonnel Lewis and BNN, Fontbonne Hall Academy, The Folio

https://fhafolio.weebly.com/around-the-community/the-veterans-day-scare

General Excellence

1. “Mariel” – The Mary Louis Academy
2. “The Stanner” – Archbishop Molloy
3. “Veritas” St. Agnes Academic H.S.

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Contributing to this article was Melissa Enaje.

 

 

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