FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Kate Brickman, NSPA contest and critique coordinator, contests@studentpress.org
2011 NSPA Yearbook Pacemaker Finalists Announced
View finalists list and covers gallery
MINNEAPOLIS – The National Scholastic Press Association has announced 55 high school yearbook finalists and six junior high/middle school finalists in its 2011 Yearbook Pacemaker contest. A total of 422 yearbooks entered the contest. A team of judges comprised of experienced journalism professionals and educators traveled to Minneapolis in late January to select the finalists.
Judges commented that the books chosen as finalists had themes that connected to the entire school year, thorough coverage that told unique and personal stories, detailed writing filled with student quotes, beautiful, compelling photography and innovative and sophisticated design.
High school entries were divided into four categories based on total page count, and junior high books were judged separately in one category. Judges completed an initial elimination round and considered a number of factors as disqualifiers, such as appropriate photo use and lack of an index and colophon. After the elimination round, judges spent a day and a half selecting finalists.
Seventeen of the 61 yearbooks, or roughly one in four, are first-time finalists in the NSPA Yearbook Pacemaker contest.
The Pacemaker winners will be announced for the first time at the Spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle, April 12-15. Registration is now available online at studentpress.org/nspa.
Comments from the judging team will be published on the NSPA website before the spring convention. Since 1927, The Pacemaker has been the highest NSPA award for general excellence.