The Columbia Scholastic Press Association will be presenting last year’s newspaper staff with the prestigious Crown Award at its 96th annual Scholastic Convention on March 20. The award recognizes top student publications across the nation and is bestowed based on overall quality in head-to-head comparisons. Crown Judges — experienced journalism advisers and media professionals — gather to judge publication characteristics such as design, photography, concept, coverage and writing.

The Falcon has been announced as one of the 97 news finalists for the award and will be presented with either the Gold or Silver Crown Award. It is one of 59 publications selected in the print and hybrid publication category.

This is the first time the Falcon has won in this category; in the past, it has only won as a pure print publication.

Journalism adviser Mike Tyler and last year’s staff members have been invited to attend the award ceremony at Columbia University, as well as the three-day convention preceding it. Further information can be found at https://cspa.columbia.edu.