Scholastic Journalism Awards

Editorial/Opinion Writing Category

1st Place

St. George's School

Alexandra Kalita

Red & White

"This essay about the approach/avoidance process in deciding how to vote, and how the desire to try the new pulls against the strings of past association, was witty and yet serious, and filled with color, detail, historical references and weighty issues of policy and political conscience. It was elegantly written and lightly but forcefully reasoned. Pretty close to perfect. Bravo!"

2nd Place

Barrington High School

Breanne Kidman

The Talon

"The writer let her mind wander in a new place (Finland), describing it and the thoughts generated by what she saw. Her prose was clear and her poignant conclusion, relating snowflakes and snowflake clusters to Finnish and American social habits, was charming. Deep sensitivity was at work in this essay."

3rd Place

North Kingstown High School

Christopher Curley

The Current Wave

"Lampooning hypocrisy may be old hat as a theme, but remains effective in the right hands. This editorial did a good job of giving the school’s accreditation charade the benefit of the doubt, and then nimbly ripping down the Potemkin facade. The writer sees through to the essence, which is that window dressing isn’t required for the school to be seen by accreditors as good. Fine writing and excellent conclusion."