Grizzly Gazette earns Gold Medalist status

The Granite Hills High School Grizzly Gazette has recently been awarded another gold medal after receiving its highest award score to date, earning 923 out of 1,000 possible points during a Columbia Scholastic Press Association critique.

The critique is offered to members of the organization to help the students improve its final product — student newspapers, magazines, yearbooks or other online media.

“Last year we scored 854. This year was our highest score, 923,” said Michael Cruz of Grizzly Gazette.

The critique contains a written set of standards developed by the association to itemize the best practices for student media. The adviser-judge reads the print or online publication and analyzes its strengths and weakness, writes out comments and makes constructive suggestions for building on current strengths and correcting deficiencies.

In 1995, gold-, silver- and bronze-medalist status replaced the first-, second- and third-place designations, which themselves had replaced the award prizes in 1930.

Scores ranging from 800 to 1,000 are offered gold-medalist status; scores from 600 to 799 receive silver-medalist status; and scores of 599 and less receive bronze-medalist status.

Critique Awards have no bearing on the newspaper’s Crown Awards, which are judged separately and reported on in mid-December.