Carmel (Indiana) High School
NSPA: Tell us a little bit about the editors and staff of your Pacemaker-winning publication.
Jim Streisel, Adviser: As has been the case for years now, my editors last year were very focused and steady. They always start each year with some large goals, and they work hard throughout the year doing small things to reach those larger goals.
NSPA: How did the staff ensure the quality of the publication?
JS: Well, lots of things, but one of the most apparent is our monthly critique. We like to look at each issue after it comes out and dissect it. While we do acknowledge the good elements, we spend most of our time nitpicking the small things so we can do a better job in the future.
We also work hard to get every staff member involved in as many parts of the publication process as possible. The more people we have in the room who know what they’re doing, the better we all are. So, while you may come onto staff primarily as a reporter, that does not prevent you from learning to take better photos or designing pages or learning how to do interactive graphics online.
We also work hard to make smooth transitions between staffs. For example, the final two issues of each year are typically designed by new page editors (the ones who will be in those roles the following year) under the supervision and tutelage of outgoing editors.
Finally, I teach my kids time management skills. We don’t work one issue at a time; rather, I encourage my students to plan as far ahead as they can Â- months, even – so they have time to finish projects without the monthly stress that can come from late nights. We don’t have late nights. Ever.
NSPA: Is there any one issue, story, photo, package, etc. that stood out during the year?
JS: The students did great work throughout the year, but a story that stood out for me last year was the piece the students produced on gender neutrality*; more and more organizations are giving people additional terms to identify their gender, and my kids wanted to localize that. The reporter had several sources who initially agreed to be in the story who later backed out, but the reporter stayed diligent. Eventually, she found several sources who went on record and the story was better for it. Interestingly, that was a story that was initially scheduled for an earlier issue, but because the reporter needed more time, the editors were prepared enough to push it to a later issue. They had (and I always encourage them to have) a Plan B story that they could run in the earlier issue.
*Story was published in the 2014-15 school year and would not have been included in the judging of the 2014 Newspaper Pacemaker.
NSPA: Tell us about a hardship or obstacle you felt your staff overcame.
JS: Nothing comes to mind. We try to always plan for the worst and hope for the best. If the proverbial you-know-what hits the fan, we’ve typically got a backup ready to go.
NSPA: What qualities will you remember the most about this Pacemaker-winning staff?
JS: Last year’s staff was able to make an unbelievably smooth transition from a tabloid-sized publication to a full-fledged newsmagazine. That included new templates and designs that allowed for bleeds and designing across the gutter. They also revamped the entire website to go along with the print design changes. They never missed a beat during that process.
NSPA: What does the Pacemaker mean to you and your staff?
JS: A Pacemaker is certainly public acknowledgement for the staff that they’ve done a good job and it’s certainly a tremendous honor, but frankly we don’t do this job for awards; we do this for our readers. As I often tell my staff, if you have your readers’ best interests at heart then the awards will come. Awards are a byproduct of great work for your readers.
NSPA: What were the goals going into last year and how did you ensure those goals were met?
Lianne Yu, Editor-in-Chief: We primarily worked on integrating a new design into the publication and developing style changes to be more consistent throughout the sections. With the help of a creative director and the flexibility and diligence of the page editors, we were able to establish a fluid, steady design that helped to define our publication more.
NSPA: Tell us about a moment you will remember the most about this staff.
LY: When we were first developing our new design during a journalism workshop, the management members and page editors got together and worked day and night to ensure that the design was implemented well in the publication. It was very uplifting to see so many people care about the quality of the HiLite and their genuine motivation to do what they could to improve the publication.
NSPA: What does the Pacemaker mean to you?
LY: The Pacemaker means that we as a staff are upholding the scholastic journalism expectations of excellence and professionalism.
NSPA: What was the toughest moment you faced last year? The most exciting/rewarding?
LY: As a page editor, the toughest moment I faced last year was when a story idea fell through last minute, including the graphic and written content that went along with it. The most rewarding moment was seeing the final print publication–the product of so many staff members working together and dedicating time and care to the HiLite.
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