Christopher Columbus High School, Miami
NSPA: Tell us a little bit about the editors and staff of your Pacemaker-winning broadcast.
Christina Hidalgo, Adviser: CCNN Live has a 60 person staff. We are a student-run broadcast, including 9-12th graders. We have a webmaster, chief editor and section sub-editors.
NSPA: How did the staff ensure the quality of the publication?
CH: As a staff, we pride ourselves on accuracy, fairness and dignity. We triple check facts and make sure we are fair to all parties when reporting.
NSPA: Is there any one issue, story, photo, package, etc. that stood out during the year?
CH: Last year we did a story called “Football coach pays it forward” about one of our football coaches at school. It was an inspirational and motivating story of a man who was a troubled kid, and paid it forward by fostering and later adopting one of his football players; he helped turn this young man’s life around.
NSPA: Tell us about a hardship or obstacle you felt your staff overcame.
CH: Our biggest hurdle every year is having to work diligently outside of the classroom. We only have one class period a day devoted to CCNN, while many schools have full day journalism programs.
NSPA: What qualities will you remember the most about this Pacemaker-winning staff?
CH: This staff was like an eclectic family. Every one of them was different, but what made them unique as a staff was their bond.
NSPA: What does the Pacemaker mean to you and your staff?
CH: The Pacemaker was a great honor and a reflection of all the hard work we’ve put in, not only this year but for the past 8 years.