The Catalyst wins First Place in ASPA Scholastic Review and Contest

The Catalyst, New College of Florida’s student run newspaper, was recently awarded a first place prize in a nationwide contest sponsored by the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA).  This is the first time the paper has ever applied for an award.

Each year, the American Scholastic Press Association rates high school and college yearbooks, newspapers and magazines based on such factors as design, story layouts, graphics, advertising placements and use of photography. The publications are then given first, second and third-place designations. The ASPA evaluated two separate issues of The Catalyst and awarded the paper a score of 905 out of 1,000 possible points, which earned it a first place ranking.

The Catalyst is not only a student run organization, but is actually two tutorials, which have been taught every semester since 1994 by Professor of Anthropology Maria Vesperi.  The tutorials are Newspaper Writing and Production and College Newspaper Editing and are taken in sequence by members of The Catalyst staff. The paper has two co-editors and a staff of nine students.

“I am really pleased with the work this group of students has done.  They have really dedicated themselves to the paper this year.” Dr. Vesperi noted.  “They are interested in their community. The students work together as a team and are not proprietary about their work. They are a unique group.”

Here is a look at this Spring’s award-winning staff for The Catalyst:

Adam Schafer, Co-general Editor
Chelsey Lora, Co-general Editor
Marilee Pray, Layout Editor
Casey Morell, Editorial Assistant
Hannah Brown, Photo Editor
Kendall Bierer, Layout Assistant
Gracelena Ignacio, Staff Writer
Alexis Santos, Staff Writer
Peter Hess, Staff Writer
Mary Johnson, Staff Writer
Juliana Nalerio, Staff Writer

For more information, please contact Greg Hite in the New College of Florida Office of Public Affairs at (941) 487-4155 or email [email protected].