One current and two former members of Naperville Central’s Central Times newspaper were recognized by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association on Wednesday with Gold Circle awards, one of the most prestigious honors for scholastic journalism. Awards were announced in both yearbook and digital media categories and selected from nearly 5,000 total entries nationwide.

Current editor-in-chief Neya Thanikachalam placed first in the nation for personality profile writing with her story connecting the election of President Donald Trump to the post-9/11 climate facing Muslim Americans via one student’s emigration story.

Last year’s editor-in-chief and current Indiana University freshman Lexi Haskell received a certificate of merit for sports commentary for shifting her post-Chicago Cubs World Series victory euphoria to their opponent’s logo: the Cleveland Indians’ Chief Wahoo.

In addition, CT alumna Sasha Fenton was awarded twice, winning the sidebar writing category with her commentary challenging the notion that a growth mindset is better than a fixed mindset. She also received a certificate of merit in the general or humor commentary category for explaining a concept called “fundamental attribution error” and how it relates to our obsession with various conspiracy theories.

The CSPA awards one first place, one second place, one third place, and several “certificates of merit,” the equivalent to an honorable mention, in each category. This is the 35th year the organization, located at Columbia University, has presented the Gold Circle Awards. To view all of this year’s CSPA winners, click here. For a complete list of past CSPA recognitions awarded to Central Times, click here.