Tower Students Earn Awards for Excellence 

Tower journalists are making headlines again. Students recently took home trophies from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association and School Newspapers Online.

Three students received prestigious Gold Circle Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, an international student press association. Senior Tim Mathas was surprised yet thrilled with the recognition: “These awards are not just reflective of the individuals who win them but are reflective of the fantastic effort put forth by the entire staff for each and every issue that we publish.” Fellow winner Ella Tang ’21 has enjoyed “transforming thoughts and ideas into illustrations and expressing my skills and visions as an artist.”

Logan Schiciano ’21 is proud “that my efforts to become a multi-dimensional journalist, producing articles not just for print, but for podcast and broadcast have paid off and are recognized on a national level." Tower chief design editor Sophie Grand was honored saying the winning artwork was “my favorite design that I've created all year.” Tower co-editor-in-chief Mitchell Fink said that his article about Masters teachers was close to his heart. “It was gratifying to see something I worked on recognized in that way.”

This spring, School Newspapers Online recognized Tower’s online presence as a “Distinguished Site,” having been cited for excellence in six areas for their website. 

Tower faculty co-advisor Matt Ives, who works with co-advisor Ellen Cowhey, is looking to this year’s editorial team to passing of the Tower torch to the next generation of journalists. “Ellen has created the conditions in which the Tower staff leadership has established a culture of excellence – the older kids model good journalism and the younger students see what is possible, see what a good story looks like, what good page design looks like - and aspire to match what they see when they get the chance.”

Columbia Gold Circle Awards

Tim Mathas ’21 
Personal Opinion: On-Campus Issues: “Pro: Discussing the Merits and Issues with Gender-Separate Classes in the Middle School”

Ella Tang ’21 
Computer Generated Art/Illustration: "The COVID-19 Blame Game"

Logan Schiciano ’21
Interactive Graphic: "The COVID-19 Blame Game"

National Scholastic Press Association “Best of Show Spring 2021” Awards

In April, Tower staff attended the National Scholastic Press Association’s "Best of Show" virtual awards ceremony and received an impressive 10 awards.

Staffwide

Top Broadsheet Newspaper #3
Top Website #5 (1500 students or less)

Individual

Logan Schiciano ’21
-Broadcast News Story (#1: “Remembering the Life of Panton Adams,” #2: “Stein Family Welcomes Thai Student Adul Samon,” #5:“Dobbs 16 Perseveres Through Restrictions”)
-Podcast (#1: “Inside the Mob”)
-COVID-19 Reporting (#3: “Children of the Pandemic”)

Sophie Grand ’21 
-Newspaper Design (#9: “Elephant in the Room”)

MItchell Fink ’21 
-Podcast (#9: “Where Are They Now?”)
-Social Justice Reporting (#4: “Teachers Serve as ‘Powers for Good’ at NY Prisons”)

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