Parrott Academy’s award-winning yearbook staff for the 2019 Patriot yearbook (left to right): Bottom row: Megan Blair, Lindsey Thomas, Ellie Wooten, and Grace Brydge. Top row: Cole Grady, Allison Christiano, Gabe Braswell, Caleb Langston, Arden Riddle, Karmen Heath, Delaney Tribula, Anne Grayson Lindley, and Gage Grady. Submitted photo.

Arendell Parrott Academy’s Patriot Yearbook for 2018-19 has won a national gold medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. In the same competition, The Patriot won All Columbian Honors for two out of three sections of judging, as well as for visual quality and for reference organization. The 327-page volume revolved around the theme “Fired Up.” 

This is the fifth gold medal that Parrott’s yearbook has received under the leadership of Yearbook Advisors Melissa Lambert and Staci Basden. Lambert, who handles the content of the publication while Basden handles the ad section, credited her outstanding student staff for their initiative and commitment.  Delaney Tribula, a senior from La Grange, served as 2019 editor.

The school’s literary journal, The Spectrum, was also honored by Columbia, winning a gold medal for the first time in its 27-year history. The 2019 Spectrum featured the theme “Inklings” and showcased student writing and student art from Parrott’s elementary, middle, and high school students. The magazine also included interviews and special features on nine senior AP art students.   Each year’s Spectrum is produced and edited by members of the yearbook staff. This year’s Art Director was Grace Brydge.