By Chase Morrone ’20

Two West Essex publications, The Roundtable and The Wessex Wire, have received top honors from a national student press association for their work in the 2016-17 school year.
The Roundtable, advised by English teachers Virginia Dunphy and Tom Collins, earned a Gold Medal designation from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, with special recognition for their artistic ability.
This year was the third year in a row that the Roundtable won a gold medal from the association. The Roundtable was also awarded a First Place Special Merit award by the American Scholastic Press Association. Alumni Isabel Parzecki and Emi Brito (both Class of ‘17) of the Roundtable were named by Columbia for their skill and perspectives in writing.
“I am very proud of the work that the students have done this year,” Ms. Dunphy said. “I deeply appreciate the corroboration
with the art department, helping us including pieces made by West Essex students.”
The Wessex Wire, advised by English teacher Chris Hermosilla, won a Gold Medal award for overall excellence in coverage, writing and visual presentation. Other categories included overall strength of writing and layout/visual presentation.
The paper last earned a Gold Medal distinction in the 2015-16 school year. The Wire also received two first place awards in the state from the Garden State Scholastic Press Association: Editor-in-Chief Michael Sessa for editorial cartooning, and Micaela Weiss (Class of ‘17) for layout and design.