by Madison Lowe.

The 2011 Hornet Yearbook received a Gold Crown Award March 16 at Columbia University in New York City.

The Gold Crown Award is the highest award given by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Gold and Silver crowns are awarded each year.

“This is our second year to receive the Gold Crown,” yearbook editor Jasmine Av said, “it’s the highest award you can receive and I’m honored to be apart of this production.”

Out of the 1,351 eligible publications, 16 magazines, 11 newspapers, 22 yearbooks and 13 digital news media received a Gold Crown award while 122 other entered publications were awarded a Silver Crown award, which is the second highest award. Hornet was the only yearbook in Arkansas to receive a Gold Crown.

Edmund J. Sullivan, executive director of the CSPA announced the winners at Columbia’s historic Morningside Heights campus. The Gold and Silver Crown winners were presented with a plaque.