The Pearl Post takes home 1st place for Best High School Newspaper

Natalie Moore
June 30, 2015

In the heart of downtown Los Angeles, three editors of The Pearl Post sit among professional journalists, broadcasters, photographers and editors waiting to know if they won.

Press Club Board Member Carolina Sarassa, Former Online Editor-in-Chief Christopher Bower, Former Print Editor-in-Chief Natalie Moore and Print Editor-in-Chief Ilana Gale stand with the first place plaque after the winner for Best High School Newspaper was announced. Photo from the Los Angeles Press Club
Press Club Board Member Carolina Sarassa, former Online Editor-in-Chief Christopher Bower, former Print Editor-in-Chief Natalie Moore and new Print Editor-in-Chief Ilana Gale stand with the first place plaque after the winner for Best High School Newspaper was announced. Photo from the Los Angeles Press Club

For the fourth year in a row, The Pearl Post was a finalist for Best High School Newspaper by the Los Angeles Press Club. On June 28, The Pearl Post took home the first place plaque at the 57th annual L.A. Press Club Awards at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Second place went to Beverly Hills High School’s Highlights newspaper.

“The Pearl Post provides comprehensive coverage of high school issues and supplements its articles with fine photography, compelling profiles of students and teachers, and thoughtful opinion pieces. A fine effort by future journalists and leaders,” the judges commented.

Print Editor-in-Chief Ilana Gale, Former Online Editor-in-Chief Christopher Bower and Former Print Editor-in-Chief Natalie Moore stand on the red carpet before the awards dinner began. Photo from the Los Angeles Press Club
Print Editor-in-Chief Ilana Gale, Former Online Editor-in-Chief Christopher Bower and Former Print Editor-in-Chief Natalie Moore stand on the red carpet before the awards dinner began. Photo from the Los Angeles Press Club

Former Online Editor­-in-Chief Chris Bower, former Editor-­in-­Chief Natalie Moore and new Editor-­in-Chief Ilana Gale attended the gala and received the award. Both students and professional journalists received awards that night recognizing them for their hard work, dedication and support to ensure quality journalism.

Through the ceremony, guests enjoyed a three-­course meal and were entertained by comedian Alonzo Bodden, who focused on the funny side of more controversial topics like racism and same-sex marriage, which was ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court just two days before.

Along with the awards, a few very special recognitions were given out to more notable and brave journalists.

Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell from the CBS Morning News received the President’s Award for their new approach on media, to present serious news using original storytelling, analysis and discussion.

Editor-in-Chief Ilana Gale, Dr. Judea Pearl, Ruth Pearl, Former Online Editor-in-Chief Christopher Bower and Former Print Editor-in-Chief Natalie Moore were talking with each other before the awards dinner began.
Incoming Editor-in-Chief Ilana Gale, Dr. Judea Pearl, Ruth Pearl, former Online Editor-in-Chief Christopher Bower and former Print Editor-in-Chief Natalie Moore were talking with each other before the awards dinner began.

Dr. Judea Pearl recognized the French satirical magazine “Charlie Hebdo” for practicing the freedom of speech despite the murder of seven of the staff members this past January. Antonio Fischetti received the Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism for the magazine, which continues to break down boundaries.

“The war of terrorism will not be won by priests or imams but by journalists like at Charlie Hebdo,” Dr. Pearl told the guests at the awards dinner.