After a month of mid-terms and a see-saw of house ranks, Gryffindor's Committee of Awards (Lion’s Pride) was ready to bring some warmth to our days by presenting another four students to join the ranks as a Gryffindor Award recipient.

The Exploding Snap Award is given to the one that always brings a smile and a laugh, so it was hardly a surprise that second year Elizabeth Myst was given the honour. “Never did I think that I would be nominated for any award,” exclaimed Elizabeth, “Of course, I tackled Ruben as thanks for nominating me in the first place.” Ruben Orion, fellow Paw Print Reporter and a member of Lion’s Pride was apparently the one responsible for her getting the award, being the one to nominate her. And since everyone on the committee had the same impression of her as Ruben did, getting the second nomination, and eventually, the final vote, was easy. “It was unanimous,” smiled Amelie Felton, our Lion’s Pride Chair and Junior Prefect, “Most will agree that she's very funny.” So for what reason does our resident dust bunny tamer think she got the award? After some thought, she said truthfully, “Because I'm me. I don't try to be funny. It just naturally comes out.” And we hope she stays that way.

Chris Moody, another second year, was the second name announced to receive the Golden Snitch Award, given to the person that actively participating in house activities and encouraging and exciting others to do the same. No argument there, since that is what Chris does with almost every post he leaves on any of the HOL forums. “He always has a Gryffindor spirit with him,” commented Samantha Wanzo, a Gryffindor First Year. And it was for that exact reason he earned the award. “I had the biggest grin on my face when I saw my name in bold,” smiled Chris. “I mean, I was so happy! It's like the best thing that has happened to me here at HOL.” Chris had a lucky moon in his calendar to have received the award to begin with. Since being nominated by Ruben, there were some minor conflicts with another eligible for the award. According to Amelie, both nominees had a close race during the voting, but in the end, it was Chris who pulled out with the award. Now how does our lucky recipient feel about the trophy he can now display in his dorm? “I couldn't stop grinning all day, I was so happy!”

The Pride of the Pride award, a new addition to the trophy cabinet, was presented to Missa Matz, co-captain of the GQT (Gryffindor Quidditch Team) and Editor of the Paw Print. The award is for the Gryffindor who goes beyond the call of duty to help and promote the spirit and functions of our House. So if you add the assistance she gives our Prefects, her help with the Gryffindor database and her class work to her titles, you can't argue the decision. Prefect Margaraeta Kexholm suggested Missa for the award, and as Amelie explained, “A lot of us were slapping ourselves for not thinking of her sooner!” Missa then received a unanimous vote and became the first to carry our House's highest honour. “When I found out, I was shocked,”' recalled Missa. “I pretty much stared at the screen for about 3 minutes.” When asked why she thinks she deserved the award, she explained that she thinks she doesn't. “There are many other Gryffindor who do so much as well.” Yet it can be agreed by all others that no one deserves it more than Missa. “She has really gone out of her way to make our house and HOL better,” acknowledged Rae (Margaraeta), “Which is why she deserves the Pride of the Pride Award.”

Though most awards are for Gryffindors only, we do have one special trophy given to a friend from outside our common room as a way of saying thanks for their help and their friendship. Sindor Aloyarc, a second year Ravenclaw, became the lucky holder of this prize for his help with the Gryffindor website and his fun-loving ways. “When I receive an award from any area in HOL my first thoughts are... 'Wait.. Let me make sure that was my name again,'' giggled Sindor cheerfully. “Physically, I shrieked and put my hands over my mouth and laughed.” What made Sindor stand up above the other nominees had apparently much more to do then him just helping with the website. “What he assisted me with on the website was something he won't be able to use when the project is completed,” said Rae. “That was very selfless of him to give help when he himself could not benefit from it. “What did Sindor have to say about us giving him this award? “Thanks to all of Gryffindor for being so nice and helpful. You guys make HOL so much better.”*huggles*

“We're always looking for Gryffs who show any of the qualities that deserve an award,” said Amelie when I asked her for additional information. “How can you make yourself known for something? Get out and become an active student! The opportunities as to what you can accomplish are endless!” “It takes more than one, five, or even twenty people to change the momentum in Gryffindor,” added Missa, “If we want to better ourselves as a house, more people have to do their very best. Don't go above and beyond what you know you can do, but don't say, 'It doesn't matter anyway; we’ll never get out of this slump.' Anyone who feels that way should remember - Gryffindors never give up. Ever.”

Reporter's Note: I'd like to thank our January Award Winners, Lion’s Pride Chair Amelie Felton, and Margaraeta Kexholm, in helping me collect much of the information here, as well as those Gryffindors who helped as well. It was greatly appreciated and helped make this article all the more exciting to write. For further information please go the http://www.gryff.net/