Note: Hunterdon Central took second place in Category 15 (Multimedia News). Another school was inadvertently credited with the entry during the initial announcements on Instagram Live.

Updated on Nov. 23 with 11-Photography, Division B winners.

PRINT AWARDS

(Note: Entries were separated into two divisions based on school size. A is the larger-school division while B is the smaller-school division.)

1-News Writing

Division A

1 (tie). The retirement of the PV Indian, Ellie Kim, Abby Shapiro, Pascack Valley

1 (tie). Response from the community, Ellie Kim, Abby Shapiro, Pascack Valley

1 (tie). BOE approves Panthers as new mascot, Abby Shapiro, Ilmie Xhaferi, Emily Moy, Pascack Valley

2. “We have to go to work”: how teacher voices contributed to–and got lost in–the development of RV’s hybrid plan, Shea Smith, Rancocas Valley Regional High School

3. “What has Perseverance, the latest Mars rover, been up to?,” Derek Derienzo, Rancocas Valley Regional High School

Honorable Mention

“Snow Days are on Thin Ice,” Siena Griffin and Ava Petrilli, Northern Valley Regional HS at Old Tappan

“Asian Culture Club responds to hate crimes,” Sarah Shapiro , Pascack Valley

“Senate acquits Trump in his second impeachment trial,” Mya Collins, Rancocas Valley Regional High School

Division B

1. “University policies regarding mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for students receive mixed reactions,”  Emily Gabriel, Lyndhurst High School

2. “$18.5 million train station to be built in Lyndhurst,” Jessica Cerrito, Lyndhurst High School

3. “CHS sweeps the Congressional APP challenge,” Zoe Connor-Bennett, Communications High School

Honorable Mention

“New band director donates trove of performance programs to Lyndhurst Historical Society,” Jude McElroy, Lyndhurst High School

“CHS regains a sense of community after Spirit Week,” Andrew Seckular, Communications High School

“Governor Livingston’s Rick Ortega Named Union County Conference Wrestling Coach of the Year,” Ryan Tarabokia, Governor Livingston HS

“Will Vaccines Transition Schools Back to Normal?” Katherine Zhou, Governor Livingston HS

2-Feature Writing

Division A

1. “From the field to the office,” Spencer Goldstein, Pascack Valley

2. “‘It doesn’t happen without the people around me’,” BJ McGrane, Pascack Valley

3. “Steele brings artistic dreams into reality,” Lalitha Viswanathan,  Cherry Hill High School East. 

Honorable Mention

“Rosenbaum spreads self-love on Tik-Tok,” Emily Boyle, Cherry Hill High School East

“Bryce Dershem beat the odds,” Aiden Rood, Cherry Hill High School East

“Seniors presented with Seal of Biliteracy award,” Abby Shapiro, Pascack Valley

Division B

1. “Before there was Covid-19, there was AIDS” Emma Ferschweiler, Lyndhurst High School

2. “Female-dominant student body grapples with STEM gender gap,” Nicola DeGregorio and Isabella Ji, Communications High School

3. “Holocaust survivor shares extraordinary stories with freshman students,” Michael Silver, Glen Rock High School

Honorable Mention

“‘Everyday’s a Memory’: Dearly Loved MFS Lower School Assistant Sandi Federici Retires after 45 Years,” Rebecca Benjamin, Moorestown Friends School

“Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students find New Representation at The White House,” Aidan English, Governor Livingston HS

“For first generation college students, a bachelor’s degree takes on special meaning,” Tara Tiyaloglu, Lyndhurst High School

3-Sports Writing

Division A

1.  “’He’s a Legend, That’s it’: Former Players Reflect on Late Coach Tom Breznitsky,” Matt Levine, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

2. “Lynell Payne’s Plan,” Nick Gangewere, Cherry Hill High School East

3. “No coach, no problem for PV’s ‘Last Dance’ team,” BJ McGrane, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention

“For Freshman Phenom Lily Quintero, Basketball is More than Just a Game,” Nick Gangwere, Cherry Hill High School East

“Family swimming tradition holds strong in Division I PV alumni,” Noah Silver, Pascack Valley

“PV goes head first into creation of diving team,” Nolan Wasserman, Ethan Perlman, Pascack Valley

Division B

1. “Cross country runners say Covid-19 can’t break their stride,” Emma Ferschweiler, Lyndhurst High School

2. “Senior athletes jump into new sport their senior year,” Ella Tozduman, Lyndhurst High School

3. “Cheerleading team faces new challenges during the pandemic,” Carolyne Mooney, Lyndhurst High School

Honorable Mention

“The Last Cowboy,” Pascack Hills High School, Shaan Dalal

“Uncertainties regarding winter sports season linger but athletes remain optimistic,” Ben Habler, Glen Rock High School

“A Winter Sports Season is Coming, But When?” Ryan Tarabokia, Governor Livingston

4-In-Depth Reporting

Division A

1. “What’s in a Name?” Rachel Cohen, Ellie Kim, Abby Shapiro, Sarah Shapiro, Emily Moy, Trishan Nilaweera, Kareena Shah, Allison Varghese, Spencer Goldstein, Ilmie Xhaferi, Sarah Buttikofer, Nolan Wasserman, Ava DeVincenzo, Pascack Valley

2. “COVID-19,” PV Student Publication Staff, Pascack Valley

3. “Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women’s History Month,” Nicole Vital, Ziv Amsili, Sami Bell, Avi Shohat, Melissa Vital, Naomi Bereketab, Cherry Hill High School East

Honorable mention 

“A deeper look into eating disorders,” Ziv Amsili, Alexa Atlas, Jacy Dickstein, Jeffrey Kaminer, Brielle Lampf, Isabella Levin, Yena Son, Cherry Hill High School East

Division B

1. “Drugs,” Zaina Saif, Nina Kolodchak, Kaitlyn Delaney, Isabella Ji and Michele Roman, Communications High School

2. “Pride Month” Emma Ferschweiler, Adriana Rodriguez, Valentina Novak, Mirka Cuadros, Lyndhurst High School

3. “The New Normal” Liam Umbs, Kaitlyn Delaney, Vivianna Varlack, Isabella Ji, Communications High School

5-Editorial Writing

Division A

1. “It’s time to move on from the mascot discussion,” Ellie Kim, Pascack Valley

2. “Eastside commends district’s efforts during remote learning,” Eastside Editorial Board, Cherry Hill High School East

3. “Eastside names African American Culture Club Persons of the Year,” Eastside Editorial Board, Cherry Hill High School East

Honorable Mention

“Where do we go from here? The impacts of the insurrection,“ Staff Editorial, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

“From the Desk of the Editor-In-Chief,” Samantha Lever, Northern Highlands Regional High School

Division B

1. “Don’t wait to get your Covid-19 shot,” Sumaia Safi, Lyndhurst High School

2. “The epidemic of anti-Asian hate must end,” Sumaia Safi, Lyndhurst High School

3. “Mental illness should not be stigmatized,” Sumaia Safi, Lyndhurst High School

Honorable Mention

“No time like the present to make your voice count” Sumaia Safi, Lyndhurst High School

“Social Media Activism Could Have Unintended Consequences,” Madison Beekman, Liam Umbs, Communications High School 

“After Weeks of International Protests, It Took a Year to Find Derek Chauvin Guilty; That’s Still Not Enough,” WordsWorth Editorial Board, Moorestown Friends School

6-Opinion Writing

Division A

1. “The US should allow statehood for Washington, DC,” Tomer Goldfinger, Cherry Hill High School East

2. “Attacks on the Asian-American Community,” Emily Gan, Northern Highlands Regional High School

3. “Does Learning Require Pain?” Nicole Le, Edison High School

Honorable Mention

“East should require African American History,” Naomi Bereketab, Cherry Hill High School East

“East students should have more time to pursue interests that they care about,” Brielle Lampf, Cherry Hill High School East

“What’s in a name?” Ellie Kim, Pascack Valley

“Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16?” The Lance Staff, Northern Valley Regional HS at Old Tappan

Division B

1. “How much faith is there in the art of journalism?” Michael Taromina, Glen Rock High School

2. “A Nameless Chasm: Making Sense of America’s Senseless Growing Pains,” Reuben Kadushin, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School

3. “Our Future, Our Choice: Election Night Thoughts,” Giovanni Lopez, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School

Honorable Mention

“Twinned editorials: Let’s Make History With the Girls Division; Getting it Right with the Men’s Division,” Yohangil Nolasco and William Register, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School

“VP Elect Harris: History Maker,” Yohangil Nolasco, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School

“Photography plays an important role in politics,” Liam Umbs, Communications High School

“HEAD-TO-HEAD: Mail-in ballots should be allowed in the 2020 presidential election,” Bartosz Balbuza, Lyndhurst High School

7-Personal Narrative 

Division A

1. “What’s in a name?” Ellie Kim, Pascack Valley

2. “My journey of discovering the beauty of my culture,” Alena Zhang, Eastside

3. “Coverage during COVID-19: How reporters adjusted to the pandemic,” BJ McGrane, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention

Our opinions matter, Sarah Buttikofer, Pascack Valley

Division B

1. “The blame game: How COVID-19 spiked racism,” Cindy Lin, Communications High School

2. “Procrastination and perfectionism do not mix,” Samantha May, Lyndhurst High School

3. “Yes … I have Covid-19,” Vani Hanamirian, Moorestown Friends School

Honorable Mention

“Dear Coronavirus,” Holliday Woodard, Governor Livingston HS

8-Column Writing

Division A

1. “Politics Weekly,” Aiden Rood, Cherry Hill High School East

Honorable Mention

“Cole’s Corner,” Tanner Cole, Rancocas Valley Regional High School

Division B

1. “Socially Distanced Sports,” Anthony DeMarco, Lyndhurst High School

2. “Book Reviews,” Adriana Rodriguez, Lyndhurst High School

3. “Netflix Review,” Maya Malizia, Lyndhurst High School

Honorable Mention

“Music Review,” Michael Simeone, Lyndhurst High School

“Restaurant Review,” Emily Gabriel, Lyndhurst High School

9-Reviews

Division A

1. “WW84 isn’t exactly a wonder,” Chiang, Vivian, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

2. “The Grammys don’t matter. So I listened to every Album of the Year nominee to prove it,” Brendan Collins, Rancocas Valley Regional High School

3. “‘Godzilla vs. Kong’: a titanic success,” Hamilton Scudder, Rancocas Valley Regional High School

Honorable Mention

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, James Kwak, Cherry Hill High School East

‘Secret Society of Second Born Royals’: A cliche and tedious film, Danielle Braune, Pascack Valley

Fearless (Taylor’s Version): ‘Thrilling to listen to’, Danielle Braune, Pascack Valley

Division B

1. “‘Framing Britney Spears’ Review,” Julia Augenstein, Governor Livingston HS

2. “Born A Crime Review: The Book Everyone at GL is Talking About,” Governor Livingston HS, Lauren McMahon

3. “”The Mandalorian’: The Journey of A Vigilante Bounty Hunter,” Mikayla Kim, Glen Rock High School

Honorable Mention

“‘The Queen’s Gambit:’ transforming the mundane into a cinematic wonder,” Yethmie Goonatilleke, Glen Rock High School

“Moxie”: A Movie Too Much Like the Movement that Inspired It,” Sasha Rtishchev, Governor Livingston HS

Lana Del Rey’s ‘Chemtrails over the Country Club’ is a masterpiece,” Amerie Diaz, Lyndhurst High School

10-Artwork/Illustrations

Division A

1. “Immigrants Package,” James Kwak, Cherry Hill High School East

2. “2020 General Election Coverage,” Mikayla Liwanag, Bergenfield High School

3. “Students get to choose the best option for their learning,” Mikayla Liwanag, Bergenfield High School

Honorable Mention

“Covid-19 Takes a Toll on Mental Health,” Mikayla Liwanag, Bergenfield High School

“Covid-19 Takes a Toll on Mental Health,” Gabriel Macaluso, Bergenfield High School

“Students celebrate holidays amidst pandemic,” Marc Celine Nicolas, Cherry Hill High School East

Division B

1. “Even in the digital age, snow days should remain,” Alexa Espinoza, Lyndhurst High School

2. “For first generation college students, a bachelor’s degree takes on special meaning,” Ghita Kdiry, Lyndhurst High School

3. “Joe Biden wins 2020 presidential election despite major hurdles,” Ghita Kdiry, Lyndhurst High School

Honorable Mention

“COVID-Modified Holiday Traditions, Samantha Bassin and Abeeha Zaidi,” Kinnelon High School

“There’s no better time than now to become a nurse,” Andrea Aguirre, Lyndhurst High School

“Gov. Phil Murphy signs bill banning almost all plastic and paper bags,” Ghita Kdiry, Lyndhurst High School

“Cover Illustration: The Gray Bees Enter the Matrix,” Grant Parker, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School

“The epidemic of anti-Asian hate must end,” Andrea Aguirre, Lyndhurst High School

11-Photography

Division A

1. “Class of 2021 Graduation held on June 16,” Matt Austin, Pascack Valley

2. “Athlete of the Week: Jake Wolf,” Matt Austin, Pascack Valley

3. “Setting sail,” Yena Son, Cherry Hill High School East

Honorable Mention

“In-person graduation held for the Class of 2020,” Matt Austin, Pascack Valley

“Athlete of the Week: Amanda Polyniak,” Matt Austin, Pascack Valley

Division B

1. “Boys soccer team wins league title for first time since 1999,” Angela Ellis, Lyndhurst High School

2. “Spirit & Warmth,” Sophie Solarino, Kinnelon High School

3. “CHS regains a sense of community after Spirit Week,” Hannah Schwartzberg, Communications High School

Honorable Mention

“Despite adjustments due to Covid-19, girls soccer team has hopes for this season,” Angela Ellis, Lyndhurst High School

12-Editorial Cartooning

Division A

1. “Health care workers risk their lives,” Melissa Vital, Cherry Hill High School East

2. “I’m Bored,” Jeffrey Kaminer, Cherry Hill High School East

3. “Giving cards as birthday presents” Heidi Kwak, Cherry Hill High School East

Division B

1. “One debate: Two clowns,” Samantha Mansueto, Pascack Hills High School

2. ”The epidemic of anti-Asian hate must end,” Andrea Aguirre, Lyndhurst High School

3. “Don’t wait to get your Covid-19 shot,” Andrew Palma, Lyndhurst High School

13-Layout & Design

Division A

1. “Senior Superlatives,” Jeffrey Kaminer, Melissa Vital, Cherry Hill High School East

2. “African American History,” Brielle Lampf, Naomi Bereketab, Vivian Rong, Cherry Hill High School East

3. “Sports Page 1,”  Max Gaffin, Lalitha Viswanathan, Abby Yu, Cherry Hill High School East,

Division B

1. “Activities to do in North Jersey for the Upcoming Holidays,” Abeeha Zaidi, Kinnelon High School

2. “Student Showcase,” Dani McLaughlin, Communications High School

3. “Summit students take part in good deeds,” Sophie Wisniewski, Summit HS

Honorable Mention

“A Poet Joins the Faculty,” Israel Small, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School

14-Overall Print Excellence

Division A

1. Cherry Hill High School East

2. Bergenfield High School

3. Summit High School

Division B

1. Kinnelon High School

2. Communications High School

3. St. Benedict’s Preparatory School

Distinguished Print Journalism

(Most awarded publication, with 1-2-3-HM assessed incremental point values) 

Division A

Cherry Hill East, Eastside

Division B

Lyndhurst, The Lighthouse

ONLINE AWARDS

(Note: No size divisions are used for the online categories. All submissions are placed into the same pool of entries.)

15-Multimedia Package — News

1. “Tik-Tok Takeover” — Max Gaffin, Nicole Vital, Scout Pullano, Melissa Vital, Inesa Linker, and Alex Levine, Cherry Hill High School East

2. “A Year Like No Other” —  Journalism and TV2 students, Hunterdon Central Regional High School

3. “Exploring the holiday lights”  — Sami Bell, Isabella Levin, Vivian Rong, Yena Son, Melissa Vital, Alexa Atlas,Cherry Hill High School East

Honorable Mention: “In-person graduation held for the Class of 2020” —  Ellie Kim and Spencer Goldstein, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention: “The origins of the Valley Cup chant” —  Treshan Nilaweera, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention: “East Celebrates the Inauguration” — Jamie Bookbinder, Emily Boyle and Max Gaffin, Cherry Hill High School East

Honorable Mention: “Remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg” — Remy Abrams, Alena Zhang, Amanda Merovitz, James Kwak, Jessica Levin, Ziva Davis, and Vivian Rong, Cherry Hill High School East

16-Multimedia Package — Features

1. “A deeper look into eating disorders” — Ziv Amsili, Alexa Atlas, Jacy Dickstein, Jeffrey Kaminer, Brielle Lampf, Isabella Levin, Yena Son, Cherry Hill East

2. “Self-love” —  Lalitha Viswanathan, Nicole Vital, Jacy Dickstein, Ziva Davis, Abby Yu, Melissa Vital, Amanda Merovitz, Cherry Hill East

3. “The origins of the Valley Cup chant”  —  Treshan Nilaweera, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention: “A Tapestry of Farewells” —  WordsWorth Staff, Moorestown Friends School

Honorable Mention: “Take Two” —  Sarah Buttikofer, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention: “Towey and ‘The People’” —  Sarah Buttikofer and Hailey Migdal, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention “A closer look into social media” — Alexa Atlas, Ziva Davis, Nick Gangewere, Alex Levine, Scout Pullano, Melissa Vital, Cherry Hill East

17-Multimedia Package — Sports

1. “2020-2021 Top Athletes” —  Alexa Atlas, Nick Gangewere, and Nicole Vital, Cherry Hill High School East

2. “Fall Sports Recap” —  Alexa Atlas, Max Gaffin, Nick Gangewere, Lily Lazarus, and Alex Levine, Cherry Hill East

3. “Who is Pascack Valley’s biggest rival?”  —  Spencer Goldstein, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention: “PV aims to come out on top in Saturday night ‘slugfest’” —  BJ McGrane, Pascack Valley

18-Broadcast News

1. “Hunterdon Central Plans For a Vaccinated Future” —   Maximilian Sleczka, Duncan Abbott, Zack Hoyvald, Grace Greenwald, and Chuck Cowart, Hunterdon Central Regional High School

2. “Online Learning” — Peyton Brownlie, Jack Menichillo, Ryan Maurer, Hailey Gaibor, and Bryan Aguilar, Hunterdon Central Regional High School

19-Broadcast Features

1. “An Upgrade For Play: The new and improved Lower School Playground” —  Dinah Megibow-Taylor & Elise Trani, Moorestown Friends School

2. “Watch Out: The Bees Have Arrived at MFS” —  Emma Vernick & Julia Tourtelotte, Moorestown Friends School

3. Pascack Recap Episode 2”  —  Riley Solomon, Scianna Scott, Lauren Eusebio, Ben Hoffman, Sabrina Moe, and Justine Marinkovic, Pascack Hills High School 

Honorable Mention: “Teaching Through Live History: A roundtable discussion with MFS history teachers” —  Rebecca Benjamin, Moorestown Friends School

21-Podcast

1. “Realitea Talks” — Samantha May, Lyndhurst High School

2. “Theatrical Thoughts, Episode 8: Noah J. Ricketts” —   Emily Wyrwa Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

3. “The Truth About…”  —  Gia Gupta, Karina Gupta, Heidi Kwak, and Jiwoo Lee, Cherry Hill East

22-Breaking News

1. “Panthers set to become Pascack Valley’s new mascot” —   Spencer Goldstein and Ilmie Xhaferi, Pascack Valley

2. “Superintendent to leave district for new job” —  Jared Mitovich, Pascack Hills

3. “Interview with SGA winner”  —  Aiden Rood, Cherry Hill East 

Honorable Mention: “CHPS has a tentative plan” — Max Gaffin, Cherry Hill East

Honorable Mention: “Final exams will not return —  Aiden Rood, Cherry Hill East

23-Breaking/Timely Sports

1. “Valley conquered by Ramapo in season opener” —  Spencer Goldstein Pascack Valley

2. “East defeats Rancocas Valley”  —  Nick Gangewere, Cherry Hill East

3. “PV athletics continue despite shift to remote learning” —  BJ McGrane & Spencer Goldstein, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention: “Boys Lacrosse: Raiders Advance to State Semifinals Beating Princeton 17-10” —  Matt Levine, Scotch Plains-Fanwood

Honorable Mention: Boys soccer team wins league title for first time since 1999” —  Aliya Keith, Lyndhurst

Honorable Mention: “Valley falls to Golden Knights in defensive battle” —  Noah Silver, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention: “PV bounces back with win over Bergenfield” —  BJ McGrane, Pascack Valley

Honorable Mention: “Pascack Valley defeats Demarest in Halloween blowout” — BJ McGrane, Pascack Valley

24-Photo Gallery

1. “PV baseball falls short in ‘marathon’ Group 3 final” —  Matt Austin, Pascack Valley

2. “In-person graduation held for the Class of 2020” —   Matt Austin, Pascack Valley

3. “Boys soccer team wins league title for first time since 1999”  —  Angela Ellis, Lyndhurst High School

Honorable Mention: “East Girls Swim” —  Madeline Dold, Cherry Hill East

 25-Social Media Presence

1. Pascack Valley, The PV Student Publication

2. Cherry Hill East, Eastside

3. Rancocas Valley, The Holly Spirit

26-Overall Online Excellence

1. Communications High School, The Inkblot

2. Pascack Valley, PV Student Publication

3. Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, The Fanscotian

Honorable Mention: Kinnelon High School,Colt Chronicle,

Honorable Mention: Cherry Hill East, Eastside Online 

Distinguished Online Journalism

(Most awarded publication, with 1-2-3-HM assessed incremental point values) 

Cherry Hill East, Eastside Online