UPDATE: 9 a.m., Feb. 28 For more information, read the Feb. 28 article, CSPA commends Feather for diversified coverage in critique to read about more information and elaborated responses.

UPDATE: 4:15 p.m., Feb. 27 In order to continuously improve The Feather’s site, the staff entered the publication to be critiqued by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The CSPA returned the critique, awarding the staff three All-Columbian honors and a Gold Medalist placement, Feb. 27.

The critique judged the publication in three categories: essentials, verbal and visual elements. With 191 out of 200 in the essentials category, 388 out of 400 in verbal elements and 394 out of 400 in the visual sections The Feather scored 973 out of 1000 total points.

In previous years, All-Columbian ratings go to publications that achieve the 95th percentile or higher in each of the three categories.

The judge who evaluated The Feather left a few comments in summary at the end, as well as thorough notes throughout the entire commentary.

“When the reader goes to the digital Feather, he may intend to pause for a little while but he becomes intrigued by the diversified coverage and excellent multimedia items,” CSPA judge said. “Soon he realizes he has spent an hour just going from one section of the website to another watching videos, looking at photos, checking out blogs, watching podcasts and reading wonderful stories.”

The judge also offered some suggestions and areas that have room for improvement, specifically in the site’s social media.

“Consider also adding tweet of the day,” CSPA judge said. “Running tweets in a box on the home page allows the staff to see what topics are trending. Try using blogs and tweets to cover events as they are happening.”

For more news, read the Feb. 27 article, Joni and Friends visits chapel (VIDEO).