The Patriot received several awards for both the entire newspaper and individuals over the last year. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Silver Crown Award was given to the paper on March 22 for the print and digital paper combined. According to the CSPA website, the Gold and Silver Crowns are the most prestigious awards that the CSPA gives.

According to the CSPA website, “they consider all aspects of value to the reader or viewer: content, design or presentation, coverage, photography as well as writing and editing.” The Patriot also won the Gold Crown in 2011 and the Silver Crown in 2010.

The Patriot also received individual awards from the CSPA. Lifestyles Editor senior Ashley Beyer received a Certificate of Merit in the category Non-Fiction Interview for “I cut myself” and a Second Place in the category First Person Experience for “Junior learns valuable lessons through Friend-to-Friend program.”

Copy Editor senior Rebecca Driver received a Certificate of Merit in the category Personal Opinion, Off Campus for “9/11 should be revered as a day of service,” her first Opinion article that she wrote.

In addition to stories, the CSPA also recognized achievements in graphics. Cartoonist junior Brynly Wilson won Third Place for Art/Illustration for her “Pro v. Con” cartoon. Multimedia Editor senior Shannon Vinton won Third Place for the “Sports Photograph” category for a soccer photo.

Staff editorials received a First Place and a Third Place for “Administrative spending downsized by small problems” and “Summer reading day riddled with imperfections,” respectively.

During the Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists induction ceremony on April 26, Patriot Moderator Mark Ionescu gave out individual and group awards from the 2013 International Writing and Photo Contest from Quill and Scroll.

Multimedia Chief senior Martha Schick was a National Winner in the category of Infographics for her “Wrapping Up Sports Injuries” on the back page of issue three. She was also declared a National Winner in the News Writing category for “Administration alters lockdown,” and a Sweepstakes Winner in the Photo Illustration category for “The Shadow of Tragedy” front page of issue three.

In-Depth Editors juniors Lauren Fabiszak, Meredith Haggerty, and Hope Kelly were declared National Winners in the In-Depth category for “Bullying effects,” the in-depth story in issue one.

Martha Schick is the Multimedia Chief for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.