Pictured from left to right, starting in the front row: Meredith Przybycien, Aurora Merwin, Tess Thompson, Gabe Persch. In the second row: Grace Mroczka, Mackenzie Quinn, Will Schmitt.

Fredonia High School’s student newspaper, “The Spectator,” received 28 awards at the Empire State School Press Association (ESSPA) conference at Syracuse University on Oct. 26. This recognition places the paper among the top student publications in New York State.

“The Spectator” received the gold, or highest award, in 11 categories, including gold in all round publication and service to school. The paper was one of eight in the state to earn a Gold/All New York rating.

“The paper received two gold service awards for coverage of the school resource officer and for consistent coverage of scheduling issues. Students worked consistently to keep readers informed about these two issues, and this is what student journalism is all about,” co-adviser Lisa Reinhardt said.

Casey Huber, Braden Lesch and the editorial board were named as recipients of the school resource officer award. The recognition for coverage of scheduling went to Tess Thompson, William Schmitt, Kyleigh Warren, Melinda Waag, Anna Schroeder, Olivia Gullo and the editorial board.

Reinhardt and Dadie Sedota co-advise the paper. Sedota said that the awards reflect the high standards the editors and staff set for their work.

“Writers truly care about their stories, and seeing their efforts rewarded really encourages students. ‘Spectator’ is a reflection of Fredonia,” editor Casey Huber said.

Gold award winners also include: Finn Frerichs (editorial cartoon portfolio), Meredith Przybycien (editorial columnist portfolio), Kyleigh Warren (front page design), Kyleigh Warren (feature layout portfolio), Kyleigh Warren (picture story layout), Kyleigh Warren (news photograph), Kyleigh Warren (photographer portfolio) and Braden Lesch (news writing).

Silver winners: Editorial writing, Kyleigh Warren (two feature photograph awards) and Melinda Waag (sports feature writing).

Bronze award winners: Olivia Gullo (editorial columnist portfolio), Tess Thompson (in-depth coverage), Kyleigh Warren (news photograph) and Kyleigh Warren (feature photograph).

Honorable mentions: Editorial staff (two awards for editorial page), Katie Panasci and Olivia Gullo (picture story layout), Katie Panasci (feature photograph), Gabe Persch (interview story), Caleb Crompton and Katie Panasci (review writing portfolio) and Gabe Persch (sports news).

Editors responsible for the 2017-18 issues were: Casey Huber, Breanna Rosen, Anna Schrauth, Taylor Lemiszko, Gabe Persch, Katie Panasci, Lindsay Lotter, Aurora Merwin, Grayson Pratt, Brayden Lesch, Mackenzie Quinn, Kyleigh Warren, Riley Drummond, Grace Mroczka, Keith Piper, Meredith Przybycien, Olivia Gullo, Kevin Redfield, Haley Tenamore, Melinda Waag, Anna Schroeder, Finn Frerichs.

According to Reinhardt, the entire staff contributed to the recognition at ESSPA, since the awards reflect the work of the individual award winners as well as students working as copy editors, writers, artists and photographers.

Issues of “The Spectator” are available online at the Fredonia High School website.