Three editors of The Pearl Post sat anxiously in the grand ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on June 29, waiting for their category to be announced in the Los Angeles Press Club Awards.

For the third year in a row, The Pearl Post was named a finalist  for the Best High School Newspaper category by the L.A. Press Club, and was awarded second place that night. First place went to Highlights, the newspaper at Beverly Hills High School, for the second consecutive year.

Former Editor-in-Chief Carlos Godoy, Online Editor-in-Chief Chris Bower and Editor-in-Chief Natalie Moore attended the gala and represented the paper that evening.

Other journalists, both student and professional, were also recognized. Awards were presented by television news co-anchors Pat Harvey and Colleen Williams, executive producer Lisa Ling, columnist Patt Morrison and other notable journalists.

During the ceremony, as guests enjoyed their three-course meal and conversed among themselves, two voices rang out from the podium that kept the evening on the lighter side.

One was that of  master of ceremonies Charles Shaughnessy, an actor best known for his work in “The Nanny” and “Days of Our Lives.” His sharp wit and smooth Australian accent kept everyone relaxed during the night.

The other voice was that of comedian Christine Pazsitzsky, who gave a special performance that provided a sense of comedic relief from the long evening. She can be seen on “Funniest Wins,” and on the podcast “Your Mom’s House.”

Following the awards given out by the Press Club for various publication categories, other special recognition awards were awarded to a select few journalists.

Journalist Ann Curry received the Joseph M. Quinn Award for Journalistic Excellence and Distinction for her career in capturing the stories of people lost in times of conflict, war and disaster. Curry has traveled to Sudan, Haiti and Congo, among other places, and interviewed high profile leaders such as the Dalai Lama and Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Dr. Judea Pearl, father of Daniel Pearl, presented veteran Middle Eastern journalist Khaled Abu Toameh with the Daniel Pearl Award for Courage in Journalism. Bloomberg News founder Michael Bloomberg was awarded with the President’s Award for Impact on Media and journalist and former First Lady of California Maria Shriver was presented with the Public Service Award for Journalistic Contributions to Civic Life.