The 2008-2009 The Grotto received a Silver Medalist distinction in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Publication Critique for high school newspapers. The newspaper received an overall score of 908 out of 1,000 possible points.
The newspaper was produced by members of The Grotto newspaper staff, under the direction of Mrs. Rebecca Q. Retana. These students are: seniors Brianna Donet, Natalia Ortega, Stephanie Parra, Joanna Rodriguez and Michelle Wingard. The following 2009 graduates were also integral to production: Vicky Alvarez, Julia Longoria, Cristina Rabaza, Miranda Garcia and Alexa Riccardi.
Several students also received individual recognition with a Gold Cirlce Award for their work on the publication. The students won a total of 6 Gold Circle Awards. Brianna Donet and Michelle Wingard received third place for a personal opinion story on college advising. Brianna Donet received a third place for a personal opinion story on the Cuban emabrgo. Victoria Alvarez received third place for informational graphics, plus a second and third place for advertising layout. And, Alexa Riccardi and Joanna Rodriguez received a second place award for their page one design of Issue 6.