Southwestern College
ACP: Tell us a little bit about the editors and staff of your Pacemaker-winning publication.
We are a low-income community in the very Southwest corner of the U.S. with a highly diverse demographic. Our students come primarily from the lowest quartile of Sweetwater Union High School District, one of the nation’s lowest-preforming high school districts. Our editors are often brighter and more talented than they realize, but are English learners, migrants or come from families that have not had successful education experiences. Many have never been on a “winning team.” Our publication provides a family-like cohort that is supportive and affirming, but also has high expectations and a culture of excellence.
ACP: How did the staff ensure the quality of the publication?
By practicing ethical, professional journalism that serves its community. That is a difficult concept to get through for many young men and women from our barrio, but once they understand and embrace service and ethics, the vision of excellence comes into focus.
ACP: Is there any one issue, story, photo, package, etc. that stood out during the year?
My favorite was an ambitious piece about Latinos who crossed into the U.S. as infants or children, grew up as Americans and then were deported as adults. Unable to live in the U.S. culture they know and unable to work in Mexico without Mexican labor documentation, hundreds of deportees end up as refugees who live in squalor in the bed of the Tijuana River channel. My students practiced great journalism doing this story and I am very proud of the stories and photos published in the newspaper and magazine. Two other stories were excellent journalism, in my opinion. One was about migrant day laborers who live in canyons at night and seek odd jobs outside Home Depot stores. Another was a convoluted tale of a college dean who became involved with an underground publication that broke student privacy laws.
ACP: Tell us about a hardship or obstacle you felt your staff overcame.
Lack of funding is one barrier. Students often have to overcome their self-doubts and see that they are capable of greatness even if they attended poor high schools, come from disadvantaged communities or made mistakes earlier in their lives.
ACP: What qualities will you remember the most about this Pacemaker-winning staff?
Determination and an amazing work ethic. The newsroom buzzes from dawn to 10 p.m. most nights. They exhaust me, but also inspire me to try to work as hard as they do.
ACP: What does the Pacemaker mean to you and your staff?
The Pacemaker is the most important collegiate media award in the world. I remember a few years ago when the executive direction of ACP would start the Pacemaker Awards ceremony by calling it the Pulitzer Prize of College Media. That caught our attention! My Midwestern sensibilities prod me to remind my students that the Pacemaker is not something that you try to earn. Our purpose is to do the very best and most meaningful journalism we can. Recognition will come (or will not come) later.
Full issues: