Submitted Photo The 2016-17 Spectator staff recently received awards from both the New York Press Association and the Western New York School Press Association as well as staff awards at their end of year dinner at the Clarion Windjammer restaurant. Staff members include: (first row) Casey Huber and Cam Forster; (second row) Kate Fiorella, Emma Deckard, Hannah Suchanick, Sydney Swan, Bre Rosen, Laural Erick, Paige Nicosia, Taylor Lemiszko, and Marissa Burr; (third row) Nate Manning, Corey Dawley, Kevin Siracuse, Sophie Stevens, Lindsay Lotter, Ella Gould and Lilly Fuentes.

By BRE ROSEN and LAUREL ERICK

Special to the OBSERVER

Fredonia High School’s student newspaper, “The Spectator,” received seven awards from the New York Press Association at their annual conference in Saratoga Springs. The paper placed in five different categories among schools across the state.

The paper was awarded first place in overall design. “The mix of interesting stories, opinion and art is well done,” the NYPA judge said.

Lindsay Lotter received first place in the category of best sports story with her story on Olympic Gold Medalist and Fredonia graduate Jenn Suhr. Lotter was also awarded third place in the category for best feature story.

“It is obviously an honor for the editors and staff to be recognized by the state press association. Most of the entries are from much larger schools and the competition is judged out of state for fairness. Fredonia’s paper was recognized as one of the best in the state,” co-adviser Dadie Sedota said.

Additionally, the paper placed second in photography with senior Mikayla Reynolds’ photo of Jenn Suhr pole-vaulting.

“The Spectator” was given third place awards in the categories of best column, written by senior Vince Gullo and best sports story, written by freshman Marissa Burr.

Also, Fredonia graduate Jarod Burmaster received honorable mention in the category best sports story for his profile of the Gardner brothers.

“This level of achievement could not happen without the commitment and hard work of the editors and staff,” co-adviser Lisa Reinhardt said.

Also, 19 Fredonia journalism students attended the 36th annual Media Day at Fredonia State in April. Former Spectator adviser and founder of the Western New York School Press Association, Penelope Deakin, was the keynote speaker.

“Penelope Deakin’s speech about journalism’s role in society really stuck out to me,” junior Casey Huber said.

Deakin spoke to local high school students and advisers at the annual Media Day conference about the importance of high school journalism and said that “learning is essential but it isn’t doing; high school journalism is doing.”

Deakin also talked about the importance of listening.

“We can’t just speak. We have to listen,” she said.

Students who participated in Media Day learned about jobs that the speakers have and what it takes to be successful in communications.

“The unique perspective from the speakers about how to convey and express your opinion and knowledge to a reader was an interesting part of Media Day,” junior Casey Huber said.

“The workshops teach things that you can’t learn in the classroom,” senior Sydney Swan added.

Workshops included opinion writing, photography, illustration and design, telling great stories, preparing for success in today’s broadcasting and the reality of being on TV.

“Media Day changed my perspective on what I would like to do after my high school career,” sophomore Devon Wiedenhofer said. “I learned a good amount of information on a new career.”

Fredonia students received 30 awards in a variety of categories. Included in that, seven were first place awards.

Media Day recognizes the work of students from several different schools and school papers. “I think that the awards are important. They help students to recognize the value of what they do,” Sedota said.

“It definitely feels great to be recognized for your hard work, but personally just knowing that people saw it and enjoyed it feels better than any award,” senior James Przybycien said about his second place in the best cartoon category.

Individual award winners included: Sophie Thompson, Katie Webster, Lindsay Lotter, Colton Haas, Evan McAfee, Dakota Gardner, Emma Holm Schlemowitz, James Przybycien, Nataly Giordano, Kevin Siracuse, Kennedy Rosario, Tyler Cain, Mikayla Reynolds, Spectator staff, Tiona Pittman, Corey Dawley, Caroline Powell, Kevin Redfield, Margaret Militello, Cassiah Gilvin, Liz Suski, Marissa Burr, Vincent Gullo and Emma Lilly.

The award-winning newspaper is available online at the Fredonia High School website.