Is saying "congratulations" editorializing?

Question

I'm writing an article with my friend for the school newspaper, and we disagree about whether congratulating students who have won a contest (the article is about the contest and them winning) is editorializing. What do you think?

Answer 1

No. You're NOT expressing an "Opinion". You're offering a message of "Good Will". They're NOT the same.

Answer 2

Believe me, congragulating is the easiest but most effective way of saying Kudos to students that have won a contest.  So if you are going to write congragulations, you have my support.