The Gator just earned five Gold Circle Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association—the most in newsroom history—including first-place winners in two categories.

The 38th national competition, which judged the best-of-the-best in high school journalism from the 2019-2020 academic year, attracted 4,203 entrants in 52 categories.

Nate Suraci ’21 took home first-place for his opinion piece, Tackling the disparity in public school funding. 

“To be clear, this means that Nate had the best general commentary piece in the nation, out of any school type or size,” Adviser David Cutler said. “The irony that an independent school student wrote this award-winning piece about public schools does not escape me, even as I couldn’t feel more proud of Nate’s tremendous accomplishment.”

Brian Gamble ’23, former Co-Editor-in-Chief Caroline Champa ’20, and outgoing Associate Editor Zoe Kaplan ’21 also won certificates of merit for their work.

“To have five different students earn recognition as the best young journalists in the nation fills me with pride,” Cutler said. “It’s a testament to their skill and dedication,  but also to the excellent education that Brimmer and May provides.”

Below, check out what competition The Gator faced and how the publication placed against a national field.

DM03 News writing (planned news)
1. Molly Litvak, “George Floyd protests, both peaceful and violent, reach Shalhevet neighborhoods,” The Boiling Point, Shalhevet High School, Los Angeles, CA;
2. Tara Kapoor and Kira Sterling, “Student discussions aim to combat vaping culture,” The Paly Voice, Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA;
3. Marta Hill and Talia Lissauer, “‘I can’t breathe’: protesters unite against police violence,” Echo, St. Louis Park High School, St. Louis Park, MN;
CM. Brian Gamble, “Teachers and students address zoom fatigue,” The Gator, Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, MA;
CM. Sarosh Ismail, “District implements new security around school,” The Hawk Eye, Hebron High School, Carrollton, TX;
CM. Michaela Guo and Laura Liu, “Barry Galasso appointed as Princeton public schools’ interim superintendent,” The Tower, Princeton High School,

DM04 News feature
1. Lily McCready, Ella Rosewarne and Lucy Tobier, “New cafe brings pizza, salad and equity,” The Communicator, Community High School, Ann Arbor, MI;
2. Naomi Hendershot, Ireland McCage and Samaiyah Ra’aid, “Accepting what’s naturally yours,” ODYSSEY Newsmagazine/ODYSSEY Media Group, Clarke Central High School, Athens, GA;
3. Karen Lu, “Part 1: Disaster strikes shopping center, neighborhoods,” The Sidekick, Coppell High School, Coppell, TX;
CM. Caroline Champa, “Coronavirus: Chinese students worry about home,” The Gator, Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, MA;
CM. Mori Ono, “Taking AP exams at home deuring the COVID-19 Pandemic,” The Communicator, Community High School, Ann Arbor, MI;
CM. Mia Baldonado and Allison Chang, “Iranian-Americans: Students reflect on U.S. airstrike,” Verde, Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA.

DM09 General or humor commentary
1. Nate Suraci, “Op-Ed: Tackling the disparity in public school funding,” The Gator, Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, MA;
2. Sean Cavanaugh, “The brain of a quarantine teen,” The Lancer Spirit, Londonderry High School, Londonderry, NH;
3. Sona Wink, “Tips & tricks to feel like you’re back at school during remote learning,” Earthquake, Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia, PA;
CM. Sona Wink, “A guide to hobbies for the quarantined and impatient,” Earthquake, Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia, PA;
CM. Shira Cohen, “Colleges should adopt test-optional policies,” The Westword, Westhill High School, Stamford, CT.

DM11 First person experience
1. Amina Dalal, “Quarantine poses tough challenges,” Spotlight, Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, IN;
2. Alexander Robinson, “Trails of the past,” ODYSSEY Newsmagazine/ODYSSEY Media Group, Clarke Central High School, Athens, GA;
3. Reya Mosby, “Column: Other,” The Marquee, Marcus High School, Flower Mound, TX;
CM. Zoe Kaplan, “Op-Ed: My diagnosis, five years later,” The Gator, Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, MA;
CM. Dana Richie, “My observations: A peaceful protest turned violent,” The Southerner, Henry W. Grady High School, Atlanta, GA;
CM. Suvwe Kokoricha, “What’s in my name?” The Red Ledger, Lovejoy High School, Lucas, TX.

DM30 Cartoon Portfolio of work
1. Ava Lockhart, The Gator, Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, MA;
2. Kai Kirkham Macias, The Shield, McCallum High School, Austin, TX.