The Gauntlet’s student journalists today are newsmakers with two separate distinctions.

Co-Editor-in-Chief senior Aiste Zalepuga has been recognized as the Florida Journalist of the Year and runner-up for Journalist of the Year by the national Journalism Education Association (JEA).

The Saint Stephen’s Upper School newspaper has also received the All Florida rating — the highest recognition awarded by the Florida Scholastic Press Association (FSPA).

Zalepuga, who joined The Gauntlet her freshman year in high school, developed her skills writing for the school paper, which also encouraged her further her journalistic experiences. She can often be seen interviewing students and teachers, taking photos and videos of current events around campus or writing in-depth stories.

Journalism adviser Mrs. Nadia Watts said Zalepuga has been a dedicated member of her journalism class since day one. “Aiste is wonderful proof to her classmates that a student can harness a passion and turn it into a life dream. I have no doubt but that she’ll be an influential communicator as she continues her education and chooses a career.”

Of her award, representatives of the Journalism Education Association wrote, “Throughout the years of this competition, we have had students who impacted others’ lives on their campuses in a big way. We have seen entries that challenged censorship, stood against leaders who were stubborn, and yet these students stood firm and made a difference in their community. Aiste did all that and much, much more.”

“The essay in this entry grabbed our emotions, our hearts and encouraged us to want to read each word in the packet. Aiste is more than involved on her campus; she is involved with her heritage, her founders and another country. She has interviewed diplomats, policymakers, and according to her adviser, all for the sake of her Lithuanian culture,” the JEA release continued.

“Aiste ended her essay remembering an interview where the subject said to ‘Never forget to dream.’ We think she is going to realize all of her dreams as a journalist.”

The full press release can be accessed at http://jea.org/2012joy/.

The Gauntlet staff continues its dedication to bringing the most current news to their local and global communities.

Watts said the All-Florida rating is the highest distinction the school’s journalists have received from the FSPA. “I am so proud to be their teacher,” she said.  “They have really raised the bar for classes in the future.”