An international student press association has awarded seven pieces that ran in The Pitt News last school year in a contest it holds yearly.

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association has announced its 30th annual Gold Circle Awards, which included entries published from June 16, 2012, to June 15, 2013. Through the Gold Circle Awards, the association recognizes superior work by student journalists as individuals or in collaboration with others. Out of more than 12,800 entries, judges chose 1,780 pieces for first, second or third place awards and for certificates of merit.

Judges favored both installments of the investigative series on the secret campus organization known as the Druids.

Natalie Daher and Elizabeth Furiga, both staff writers at the time, won second place in the category of in-depth news/feature story. Their collaborative project, titled, “History, leadership, transformation characterize Druids,” ran April 10, 2013. Daher is currently an Assistant News Editor for the paper.

Tom Visco, who was a staff writer last year, also won a certificate of merit in the same category for his investigative piece, titled, “Druids dominate student government,” which ran April 11, 2013.

The newspaper’s design staff was recognized for its accomplishments, too. 

Amy Friedenberger, who was editor-in-chief last year, and Danielle Hu, who was an assistant layout editor last year and still holds that position, jointly won a certificate of merit in the category of page one design tabloid format for the March 28, 2013, issue.

Senior staff writer Jasper Wilson, who was Assistant Sports Editor at the time, won second place in the category of sports news for his recap of Pitt football’s triple overtime loss to Notre Dame last season. 

For a full list of Gold Circle Award recipients, click here.