Competing against peer publications from across the country, Georgia Tech’s Blueprint earned 12 honors in the 2011 Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Circle Awards for its 2011 book title "In Progress."

The book is in the running for the CSPA’s Crown award, which will be presented at Columbia University in New York later this month. Gold and Silver Crown awards are given, and the Blueprint knows it will be getting one of the two.

“The whole book, against every other yearbook, made the short list, which is huge for us,” said Grace Stephens, a fourth-year building construction major and editor in chief for the 2011 Blueprint. “We haven’t done that in 12 years so I’m pretty proud of that.” Stephens, now managing editor, has seen the yearbook staff grow from approximately 10 to 40 students during her four years at Tech and noted her pride in their success in this year's awards.

"When Grace Stephens was elected editor in 2009, she brought a new passion to the book that had been lacking," said Mac Pitts, director of student publications and media in the Division of Student Affairs. "Winning 22 Gold Circle awards with her 2010 book in her first year as editor was just the confirmation that she needed to make her 2011 book a CSPA Crown finalist."

The Blueprint excels during a time of transition for all print publications, when many are learning how to merge an online presence with the traditional print medium. 

“When you think about a yearbook you want it to be accessible in 40 years,” Stephens said. “I use the analogy that if I gave you an 8-track from 1969, you can’t do anything with it, but you can do something with the 1969 Blueprint.” However, the Blueprint does publish each book online. 

In recognition, Blueprint staff members will spend four days in New York to attend a student conference with the College Media Association, joined by members of the Technique, and accept their awards. They will find out if the book earned a Gold or Silver Crown at an awards ceremony on March 18.

Students in their third year or later are eligible to receive a Blueprint free each year; books will be handed out in the Clough Commons the week before spring break. First- and second-year students can order books for $50 online.

The Blueprint earned the following CSPA awards:

• Headline writing: Certificate of Merit. Staff, “Quit the day job, Cracking the code, No red zone.”
• Cover design: Certificate of Merit. Grace Stephens.
• End sheets: Third place. Grace Stephens.
• Sports action photo: Certificate of Merit. Sam Morgan, “200-back against Darton.”
• Sports feature photo: Certificate of Merit. Ryan Gomba, “Cross-country.”
• Feature photo: Certificate of Merit. Adebola Adedire, “Phi Beta Sigma.”
• Photo portfolio: Second place. Sam Morgan; Certificate of Merit. Joey Cerone.
• Opening and closing spread design Second place. Staff.
• Student Life spread: one spread: Certificate of Merit. Grace Stephens, “Good-Bye Junior’s.”
• Sports spread: one spread: Certificate of Merit. Jeff Siegel and Vett Vandiver, “Three strikes.”
• Academic spread: one spread: Certificate of Merit. Katie Geddes, James Rives and Grace Stephens, “Scientifically Speaking.”