Video courtesy of CSPA, reposted with permission.

The Gator has earned its sixth consecutive nomination for a prestigious Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), reaffirming its position as one of the nation’s top high school news outlets.

The 2026 finalists were announced yesterday via Instagram and Facebook, recognizing student publications that demonstrate exceptional reporting, multimedia storytelling, and overall journalistic quality.

“I am thrilled that this newsroom gets to share this incredible achievement. It is truly an honor for the newsroom to get recognized for their amazing work,” Editor-in-Chief Edward Flint ’26 said.

This year, The Gator is one of 21 finalists nationwide in the High School Digital News category. Finalists will receive either a Gold or Silver Crown Award at the CSPA Spring Convention at Columbia University in March.

“The Crown Awards are the highest recognition given by the CSPA to a student print or digital medium for overall excellence,” according to the CSPA website.

Only a few New England publications earned recognition across the major news divisions this year. In High School Digital News, The Gator is one of three New England finalists, alongside the Wayland Student Press Network of Wayland High School in Massachusetts and the King Street Chronicle from Sacred Heart Greenwich in Connecticut.

The Gator and Sacred Heart’s publication are the only private schools in New England to earn nominations, while Wayland High School is the region’s sole public school recognized in this category.

New England’s presence was also felt in the High School Hybrid News category, which honors publications with both print and digital components. In this division, The Harbinger from Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, Massachusetts, and Inklings News from Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut—both public schools—received nominations, highlighting excellence in multi-platform scholastic reporting.

“With only a handful of New England schools represented across both categories, The Gator’s continued success underscores the strength of its student-led newsroom and its sustained commitment to high-quality journalism,”The Gator’s adviser David Cutler said.

The wider finalist pool includes nationally competitive programs from California, Texas, Illinois, New York, Nevada, and beyond, reflecting the broad scope of the competition.

“This nomination reflects the dedication and professionalism our student journalists bring to their craft,” Cutler said. “Earning this honor six years in a row speaks to the passion and quality behind the publication.”

Crown winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on March 20, 2026, at Columbia University.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this newsroom, especially my fellow editors for their efforts. We work so hard to compensate for the size of our newsroom, and our writers are truly the most deserving group,” said Editor-in-Chief Rachael Rosenberg ’27.

Editors’ note: There is still time to register for The Gator for the spring semester.