Awards
2023-2024
- Best of SNO, Angelina Matra ’25, “Disabled marathoner inspires crowd at Westport charity event”
- Best of SNO, Zara Saliba ’26, “Planning and Zoning Commission reveals potential ban on smoke shops in Westport”
- Best of SNO, Paige Miller ’24, “Google places restrictions on websites not complying with CT law; teachers scramble for new ways to present content”
- Best of SNO, Nina Bowens ’25, “Conclusion of writers’ strike doesn’t guarantee start up of your favorite shows”
- Best of SNO, Lily Hultgren ’25, “American Parkinson Disease Association Optimism Walk celebrates community”
2022-2023
- Nomination from the National Scholastic Press Association for Broadcaster of the Year, Toby Goldfarb ’23
- Best of SNO, Mia Bomback ’25, “W. Browne flourishes with spelling board, transcends communication gap”
- Best of SNO, Madison Mayr ’24 “Staples boys’ rugby team welcomes South Africans to Westport”
- Best of SNO, Paige Tighe ’24, “Team USA competitors juggle athletic, academic pursuits”
- Best of SNO, Genevieve Frucht ’24, “Woog and Muktavaram publish “06880: Pick of the Pics”
- Best of SNO, Allie Gillman ’23 and Alex Gaines ’25, “Staples Skate Club advocates for mainstream, inclusive culture through Compo Park renovation”
- Best of SNO, Finnegan Courtney ’23, “Gutting AP African-American studies sets dangerous precedent”
- Best of SNO, Julia Leitner ’23, “10 year anniversary of Sandy Hook shooting allows Americans to reflect”
- Best of SNO, Alex Gaines ’25, “BookTok praises few books, proves dangerous for most authors”
- Best of SNO, Finnegan Courtney ’23 and Caroline Zajac ’25, “Connecticut swatting incident highlights growing national problem”
- Best of SNO, Lily Klau ’23, “Annam Olasewere makes a splash at USA Swimming National Select Camp”
- Best of SNO, Lilly Weisz ’23, “Staples library display incites community response at BOE meeting”
- Best of SNO, Talia Moskowitz ’24, “Report highlights impact of wealth inequality on state championships in Connecticut”
- Best of SNO, Allie Gillman ’23, “Gatekeepers of justice, accountability: Investigative journalists deserve recognition, respect”
- Best of SNO, Lily Klau ’23, “Sexism at gym perpetuates modern-day misogyny”
- Best of SNO, Maya Hruskar ’23 and Lilly Weisz ’23, “Staples struggles to maintain staff amid national teacher shortage”
2021-2022
- Silver Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Digital News
- Nomination from the National Scholastic Press Association for Broadcaster of the Year, Katie Simons ’22
- Third Place from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for First Person Experience, “One Year Later…COVID Provides Opportunity for Introspection, Growth,” Remy Teltser ’21
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for General Feature “Cheating: Online Learning Prompts Dishonest Learning Habits,” Molly Gold ’21 & Remy Teltser ’21
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Typography: The Look of One Page, “Collaborative Journal Connects, Engages Friends During Lockdown,” Aidan Rogers ’22 & Emma Smith ’22
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for News Page Design, “Vaccine Rollout Continues at Staples,” Finnegan Courtney ’23 & Katie Simons ’22
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Single Subject News or Feature Package, Double-truck (two-facing pages), “Anti-Asian Sentiment Creates Feelings of Alienation, Identity Loss,” Maya Hruskar ’23 & Chloe Murray ’22
- First Place from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Magazine Headline Writing, staff
- Third Place from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Magazine Single Subject Feature Package, Double-truck (two-facing pages), “Online Activism: Students Use Social Media as Platform for Social Change,” Madeline Michalowski ’22 & Phoebe Miller ’23
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Digital General feature, “Piglet: The Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy Embarks on New Chapter,” Lyah Muktavaram ’22
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Digital Entertainment Review “Rodrigo’s Debut Album ‘SOUR’ Captures the Essence of Adolescence,” Katie Simons ’22
- Received SNO’s Excellence in Writing Badge, Continuous Cover Badge, Multimedia Badge, Story Excellence Badge and Site Excellence Badge
- Best of SNO, Katie Simons ’22, “Preserving history, serving good: community organization aims to save Elvira’s”
- Best of SNO, Julia Leitner ’23, “The trend of casual Instagram is far from casual: instead increasing issues of comparison”
- Best of SNO, Tierney Kugel ’22, “Drake’s ‘Girls Want Girls’ points to greater cultural issue, fetishization of queer women”
- Best of SNO, Lyah Muktavaram ’22, “Generation gap creatives divide in political sphere”
- Best of SNO, Mimi Casey ’22, “Blood supply crisis calls for increased donation, awareness”
- Best of SNO, Aidan Sprouls ’23, “Amazon Fresh stores destined to chance the local supermarket landscape for the worse”
- Best of SNO, Anastasia Thumser ’22 and Lyah Muktavaram ’22, “Students, teachers work to respect pronouns, names”
- Best of SNO, Jake Fitzpatrick ’22, “Stigma around men’s skincare must be eliminated”
- Best of SNO, Anastasia Thumser ’22, “Grotesque online returns overhaul requires consumer responsibility”
2020-2021
- Gold Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Digital News
- Received SNO’s Excellence in Writing Badge, Continuous Cover Badge, Story Page Excellence Badge and Multimedia Excellence Badge
- Best of SNO, Natalie Bandura ’22, “Eversource response to Tropical Storm Isaias frustrates Westport, elicits PURA investigation”
- Best of SNO, Phoebe Miller ’23, “Creating a community: The Porch At Christie’s”
- Best of SNO, Karina Murray ’22, “Dylan Diamond ’17 lands Forbes 30 Under 30 list”
- Best of SNO, Poppy Livingstone ’21, “Writing letters provides worthwhile connections
- Best of SNO, Grace Livecchi ’21, “Accepted seniors attempt to connect with their schools in a COVID world”
- Best of SNO, Samantha Felner ’22, “College board abolishes essay section of standardized tests, subject tests”
- Best of SNO, Natalie Bandura ’22 and Claire Redmer ’21, “Staples moves to 75% capacity hybrid model; elementary, middle schools open fully in-person”
- Best of SNO, Amanda Rowan ’22,“Curriculum neglects Women’s History month”
- Best of SNO, Mimi Casey ’22 and Prasaus Yeager ’22, “‘Super Super Straight’ trend provokes ire, discussions of transphobia”
- Best of SNO, Anastasia Thumser ’22, “‘Varsity Blues’ effectively depicts admissions scandal”
- Best of SNO, Eliza Barr ’21, “‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ falls short of ‘WandaVision”s creativity”
- Best of SNO, Jake Fitzpatrick ’22, “Connecticut must protect problem gamblers when legalizing online gambling”
- Best of SNO, Karina Murray ’22, “Demi Lovato exhibits strength, resilience in docuseries ‘Dancing with the Devil’”
- Best of SNO, Grace Livecchi ’21, “Generate authentic happiness using this one trick”
- Best of SNO, Phoebe Miller ’23, “Religious exemption bill for mandatory vaccines terminated”
- Best of SNO, Lyah Muktavaram ’22, “Piglet: the deaf, blind, pink puppy embarks on a new chapter”
- Best of SNO, Elle Vail ’23, “Staples’ first pride day provides the LGBTQIA+ community with hope, support”
- Best of SNO, Hannah Kail ’22 & Valerie Dreyfuss ’22, “Taylor Swift’s battle with Big Machine Records sparks student opinions”
- Best of SNO, Anna Diorio ’23, “Ellery Bodell continues passion for songwriting professionally”
2019-2020
- Distinguished SNO Website
- Received their Continuous Coverage Badge, Site Excellence Badge, Story Page Excellence Badge, Excellence in Writing Badge, Multimedia Badge and Audience Engagement Badge
- Silver Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Digital News
- Second Place from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for a Non-fiction article, Katie Simons ’22, “Nudes, Gossip and ‘Thinspo’: The Toxic Culture Hidden within Social Media”
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Cover Design for General or Feature Magazine, Eliza Barr ’21 and Simon Sandrew ’21, “Inks10s”
- First Place from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for a Single Subject Feature Package, Single Page Design, Lauren Hassell ’22 and Maria Krug ’22, “Successful Upcoming Decade Requires Unified Change”
- Third Place from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for headline writing as a staff
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Briefs writing, Lucy Arrow ’21, “October Local Briefs”
- Honorable Mention from the National Student Press Association for Social Media Reporting, Claire Redmer ’21 and Emma Van Riper ’20
- Honorable Mention from the National Student Press Association for Social Media Promotion, Claire Redmer ’21 and Emma Van Riper ’20
- Best of SNO, Karina Murray ’22, “Plant-based diets sprout into Staples”
- Best of SNO, Andreas Lolis ’21, “RTM rejects attempt to ban sale of recreational marijuana”
- Best of SNO, Giselle Oldani ’22, “EEE disease reappears, takes second life in Connecticut”
- Best of SNO, Sophie Casey ’20, “Columbus Day should prompt sober reflection, not celebration”
- Best of SNO, Ella Alpert ’22, “Vail kickstarts her writing career”
- Best of SNO, Sophie Casey ’20, “Equal Rights Amendment ratification fundamental to democracy”
- Best of SNO, Serena Ye ’20, “Students unwind and relax through Toquet Hall’s “Happy Painting” program”
- Best of SNO, Eddie Kiev ’20, “COVID-19 threat prompts update of pandemic plan”
- Best of SNO, Eddie Kiev ’20, “Lamont declares state of emergency, braces for COVID-19 pandemic”
- Best of SNO, Molly Gold ’21, “Winter sports tournaments canceled due to COVID-19 threat”
- Best of SNO, Sophie Casey ’20, “Westport institutions adjust to potential COVID-19 spread”
- Best of SNO, Audrey Bernstein ’20, “Mandayam, Schussheim code stuttered speech recognition algorithm”
- Best of SNO, Sophie Casey ’20, “‘Mrs. America’ reifies relevance of ERA”
2018-2019
- Silver Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- Third Place from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Sports Page Design, Eli Corenthal ’19 and Lys Goldman ’21, “Predicting March Madness 2019 Duke Cuts Down the Nets”
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Editorial Page Design, Zach Strober ’19 and Lauren Wasserman ’19, “Tradition Does not Justify Wrong Doing”
- Best of SNO, Claire Redmer ’21 and Lys Goldman ’21 “See ya, Staples: Why Westport students choose private schools”
- Best of SNO, Tallula Stvan ’21 and Eliza Barr ’21 “Behind the Scenes: Hair, Makeup, and Costume crews for Curtains Musical”
- Best of SNO, Lily Kane ’20, “Varsity girls’ soccer makes history funding female trophy case”
2017-2018
- Silver Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- Certificate of Merit for Typography: The Look of One Page or Spread, from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Bailey Blaikie ’19 and Lili Romann ’19, “Students Raise Their Voices”
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Computer Generated Art/Illustration, Catherine Graham ’19, “’Oscar Nominations Showcase this Year’s Best Films’”
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Editorial Page Design, Isobel Connors and Alexandra Sprouls, “Talk About the Tough Stuff”
2016-2017
- Silver Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- Third Place from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Sports News, Cooper Boardman ’17, “Boys’ Basketball Clinches a State Playoff Berth with Win vs. Ridgefield”
- Second Place from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Informational Graphics, Channing Smith ’17, “Campaign Recaps”
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Newsmagazine Cover, Staff, “Inks Health”
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Editorial Page Design, Emma Greenberg ’18, Anay Simunovic ’18 and Izzy Ullmann ’18, “Character Shouldn’t Be Valued Second to Academics”
- Honorable Mention from the National Student Press Association for News Story of the Year, Melanie Lust ’19, “‘13 Reasons Why’ removed for review from middle school English book rooms, Bedford library”
2015-2016
- Gold Medal from Columbia Scholastic Press Association with All-Columbian honors in Visual and Essentials
- Silver Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Medal in Journalism, Becky Hoving ’17 with co-writer Fritz Schemel ’17 for “Conversation About Gender Neutral Bathrooms Surges Through Staples”
- Certificate of Merit from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Alternative Story Form, Renee Weisz and Jack Zapfel, “The Real Deal Uncovered: An Investigation Behind Westport Drug Distribution”
2014-2015
- Gold Medal from Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- Silver Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association for both print and online
- First Place for Feature Writing Team, Youth Journalism 2015 Awards for Excellence
- Zoe Brown ’15 and Jane Levy ’16 for Parkour: The sport that has no boundaries
- First Place for Editorial, Youth Journalism 2015 Awards for Excellence: Let’s face it
2013-2014
- Gold Medal with All-Colombian honors for Verbal and Visual from Columbia Scholastic Press Association
2012-2013
- Pacemaker Award from National Scholastic Press Association
- Silver Crown (for paper and print) and Gold Circle from Columbia Scholastic Press Association
2011-2012
- All-American Award (with four marks of distinction) by the National Scholastic Press Association for Inklings Online
2009-2010
- Silver Crown by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for Inklings News Online
- Silver Crown by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association”Gold Medal” by Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- Certificate of Merit in Computer generated black & white or black & white and one other color art for Newspapers to Timothy Yang by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- Second Place Certificate in Art/illustration: Hand-drawn two or more colors for Newspapers to Connie Zhou by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- Third Place Certificate in Art/illustration: Hand-draw black and white or black and white and one other color for Newspapers to Connie Zhou by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- “Courage in Journalism” to Petey Menz and Alex Nitkin by Connecticut Academic Press Association
- “Student Journalist of the Year” to Alex Nitkin by Connecitcut Academic Press Association
- “2010 Story of the Year Award” Second Place in Diversity to Shannon Moss and Dana Rappaport by National Scholastic Press Association
2008-2009
- Silver Crown Award for Inklings News Online by Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- “All American” by National Scholastic Press Association with Four Marks of Distinction
- “Gold Medal” by Columbia Scholastic Press Association
2007-2008
- “All American” by National Scholastic Press Association with Four Marks of Distinction
- “Gold Medal” by Columbia Scholastic Press Association
2005-2006
- “Gold Medal” from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- First Place with “Special Honors” from the American Scholastic Press Association
2004-2005
- “Certificate of Recognition” from the Westport Board of Education for placing first in
- Hartford Courant 2005 Scholastic Competition.
- “Silver Medal” from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- First Place with Special Honors from the American Scholastic Press Association
- Hartford Courant Newspapers in Education Annual Contest
- First Place in the State overall Category
- Editorial Cartoon “Second Place”/ Dan Lance
- Opinion Writing “Second Place”/ Lindsay Girden
- Feature Writing “Third Place”/ Andrew Kleinman
- Photography “Second Place” / Marshall Fox
- Critical Review “Second Place” / Mack Gelber
- 2004 Staples High School Journalism Award / Carrie Jordan and Felicia Quentzel
2003-2004
- “Gold Medal” from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- First Place with Special Honors from the American Scholastic Press Association
- Hartford Courant Newspapers in Education Annual Contest
- Second Place in the State Overall Category / The Staff
- News Writing “Second Place” / Kira Ganga Kieffer
- Photography “First Place” / Wells Preston
- 2004 Staples High School Journalism Award / Erica Erhlich and Kira Ganga Kieffer
2002-2003
- “Gold Medal” from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- First Place with Special Honors from the American Scholastic Press Association
- Hartford Courant Newspapers in Education Annual Contest
- Second Place in the State Overall Category / The Staff
- Photography “Second Place” / Emily Shornick
- 2003 Staples High School Journalism Award / Caitlin Parton
2001-2002
- “Gold Medal” from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- First Place with Special Honors from the American Scholastic Press Association
- Hartford Courant Newspapers in Education Annual Contest
- News Writing “First Place” / Simon Kliegman
- Editorial Cartoon “Third Place” / Dan Lance
- 2002 Staples High School Journalism Award / Erica Ehrlich
2000-2001
- “Gold Medal” from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association
- Hartford Courant Newspapers in Education Annual Contest
- Critical Review “First Place” / Peter Duchan
1999-2000
- “Silver Medal” from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association