Garden City High School's Echo was named the best overall high school newspaper in New York State at the New York State Press Association Conference in Saratoga Springs. With the encouragement and support of high school Principal John Okulski, two of the newspaper's editors, Katie Roth and Madeline VenJohn, accompanied their advisor, Nancy Slater to the conference and awards ceremony held April 2 and 3 at the historic Gideon Putnam Hotel.

As grand prize winners, the Garden City contingent was an invited guest and treated to luxurious accommodations at the Saratoga Springs Holiday Inn. Transportation to and from the conference was approved by District Superintendent Dr. Stephen Leitman, arranged by Tom Cross of the Garden City Public Schools Transportation Department and provided by driver John Wolke.

The students and their advisor attended workshops with professionals from across New York State. Hobnobbing with knowledgeable and talented journalists was a valuable experience for the Echo staff members. Sessions on design, layout, photo imaging, ethics and technology allowed the trio to amass state-of-the-art techniques and strategies to enhance their high school publication.

The Echo staff exceeds 60 members from across the grade levels. Published four times annually; kudos for Echo have been numerous this year. The publication has received acknowledgement from the following competitions and organizations:

Gold Award: Artwork: Jen Spatz

Gold Award: Best Illustration: Jen Spatz

Gold Award: Best Newspaper: Garden City Echo

Silver Award: Best News Story: Christine Beihoff

Silver Award: Service to School: Daniel Jabbour

Silver Award: Best Illustration: William Wang

Bronze Award: Best Front page: Daniel Jabbour

Honorable Mention: Service to the School: Category 2: Daniel Jabbour

Best Overall Newspaper in New York State First Place: Overall Excellence First Place: News, Photograph: Andrea Tan Third Place: News Story: Katie Roth First Place: Layout and Design

Best Newspaper

Best Layout

Best Illustration: Jen Spatz

Best Photograph: Andrea Tan

Best Reporter: Christine Beihoff/Christopher Frommann

Best News Story: Christine Beihoff/Christopher Frommann

National Recognition: Illustration by Jen Spatz First Place Outstanding Art: Jen Spatz