The Stanner, the newspaper for Archbishop Molloy H.S., Briarwood, has once again swept The Tablet’s High School Press Awards.

Taking home 14 prizes, The Stanner has set a record for its school. It won half of the 12 first-place awards in the competition.

“Our editor-in-chief Monish Pahilajani doesn’t know what it’s like to lose,” said Charley McKenna, moderator of The Stanner in an article published by the student paper. “During all his four years on the staff, The Stanner always has finished first.”

“It was very exciting, and I felt very proud because of all the hard work we put in,” Pahilajani said.

The Stanner is one of eight student newspapers that took part in the competition. This year, every paper won at least one award.

St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, donated the theater space where The Tablet editorial staff could announce the winners during an awards ceremony.

Every year, The Tablet invites all Catholic high school newspapers in the Diocese of Brooklyn to take part in a friendly competition. The editorial staff reads all the submissions and chooses winners based on the quality of work and how it serves the student body.

The newspapers from the schools all take a different approach to their mission. Some rely more heavily on features and entertainment, while others focus on hard news. Some are color on newsprint paper and carry advertisements, while others with a lower budget print their papers in- house. However all schools have student staffs, which include reporters, photographers, editors, artists and graphic designers.

The Tablet organizes the competition, in part, to help high school students get in touch with the journalism world.

The Future of Journalism

Before the winners were announced, guest speaker Jaweed Kaleem spoke to the students about where journalism is headed.

“There is a big future in journalism,” he said. “I want to offer my advice about: how you can write on-line, like I do; how you can write for print, which I have also done in the past; the importance of social media; the importance of story telling; and the power of words.”

Kaleem is the national religion reporter for The Huffington Post. He also covers the death beat for the online publication. Prior to Huffington Post, he was the religion reporter for The Miami Herald and a radio producer on religion for Miami’s WLRN 91.3 FM and PRI’s The World.

Before religion reporting, he was a general assignment reporter at the San Jose Mercury News, Detroit Free Press, Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader and McClatchy Washington Bureau.

He told the students that they need basic skills for journalism whether it’s online or on paper. He said these skills include writing, investigation and adherence to journalistic moral standards.

After the ceremony, students were invited to network with their peers from other schools and with members of The Tablet editorial staff over lunch.

A Journalist’s Prayer

Because the event was held for Catholic high school students, the day started with a prayer to St. Francis de Sales, patron of journalists.

Ed Wilkinson, editor-in-chief of The Tablet, led the prayer and in so doing set up the tone of the event.

He prayed: “Most loving and lovable saint, you preached to thousands with the pen, introducing them to ‘the devout life.’ You wrote sublimely about God’s love and made countless converts by your Christlike kindness. Pray for writers and all those who work in the media, so that we may realize the power of the press and be inspired by your zeal for spreading truth. Pray for us to have the courage to be graciously honest no matter what the subject, so that we may contribute to bringing about God’s Kingdom. Amen.”­

And the Winners are…

Best Front Page

1. The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

2. The Parmentier, St. Joseph H.S.

3. Mariel, The Mary Louis Academy

Honorable Mention: Folio, Fontbonne Hall Academy

 

Best News Story

1. “Students Dissatisfied with House System” by Aharisi Bonner, The Parmentier, St. Joseph H.S.

2. “New SAT Anti-Cheating Measure Takes Effect” by Monish Pahilajani and Rashanna Seymour, The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

3. “Stanners Frustrated by Long Walk from Subway” by AnnMarie Gaglio, The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

 

Best Feature Story

1. “Stanners Talk of Surviving Sandy” by Kirsten E. Paulson and Sarah Stiglianese, The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

2. “National Debate: Guns Under Fire” by Ina Kodra, Crescent Tower Owl, St. John’s Prep

3. “Who’s to Blame for Molloy’s Crowded Hallways?” by Monish Pahilajani, The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

Honorable Mention: “Golden Student Leads Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” by Josephine O’Malley, Veritas, St. Agnes A.H.S.

 

Best Editorial

1. “Juniors: Start Leading by Example Now at AM” The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

2. “Molloy’s Fading Theater Scene in Need of Revival” The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

3. “Do SJHS Students comply with the Uniform Dress Code” The Parmentier, St. Joseph H.S.

 

Best Op-Ed

1. “There is No App for Homework Yet” by Conor Tuohy, The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

2. “Bloomberg Drink Ban Helps Beat Back Obesity” by Mandisa Shields, The Parmentier, St. Joseph H.S.

3. “Are female stereotypes Killing us Softly” by Nkenge Parris, The Paramentier, St. Joseph H.S.

Honorable Mention: “A Natural Journey” by Olivia Boisrond, Skyline, St. Saviour H.S.

 

Best Personality Profile

1. “Living My Life Free: Student Spotlight on Pearl Nkosi” by Kimberly Ruiz, Skyline, St. Saviour H.S.

2. “Molloy Players Miss their Coach” by Anna Poulakas, The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

3. “SSJHS Welcomes Ms. Parris” by Hemala Harilal, The Parmentier, St. Joseph H.S.

 

Best Column

1. Roger Payne Memorial Award for Best Column: “Video Game Review” by Robert Neidkowski, The Royal Times, Christ the King R.H.S.

2. “Ask Mikayla” by Mikayla Loscalzo, Veritas, St. Agnes A.H.S.

 

Best Sports Story

1. “Lady Cougars Break ‘The Curse’ Against Fontbonne” by Mandisa Shields, The Parmentier, St. Joseph H.S.

2. “Refurbished Curran Gym Sparkles” by Robert Dittus and Liana Liang, The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

3. “Swim Team Wins GHSAA” by Meghan Maloney, Folio, Fontbonne Hall Academy

Honorable Mention: “Aqautic Hilltoppers” by Victoria Crowe, Mariel, The Mary Louis Academy

 

Best Photo

1. Volleyeball photo by Katherine Mendez, The Royal Times, Christ the King R.H.S.

2. “SJHS Dancers Prepare for Tilles Dance Conference” by Heidi Rodriguez, The Parmentier, St. Joseph H.S.

3. “Spanish Club Dancers” by Jordi Sevilla, The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

 

Best Multi-Photo Display

1. “International Day Draws Crowd” by Jordi Sevilla and Petal Persaud, The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

2. “My Summer in South Africa” by Stephen Lebak, The Royal Times, Christ the King R.H.S.

3. “Breezy Point Project” by Jordi Sevilla, The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

 

Best Editorial Cartoon

1. “You’re Safe Here” Samyira Lewis, The Parmentier, St. Joseph H.S.,

2. “Come On, Tricks are for Kids” by Peter Gomes, Crescent Tower Owl, St. John’s Prep

3. “Kids These Days!” by Olivia Calamia, Skyline, St. Saviour H.S.

Honorable Mention: “Pink: Anti-Feminist or Fashion Forward?”by Daniela Carrasco, Mariel, The Mary Louis Academy

 

General Excellence

1. The Stanner, Archbishop Molloy H.S.

2. The Parmentier, St. Joseph H.S.

3. Mariel, The Mary Louis Academy

Honorable Mention: Veritas, St. Agnes A.H.S.