NSPA names top student news publications

Prestigious competition recognizes 4 Pacemakers

Nov. 9, 2024

PHILADELPHIA — Honoring the nation’s best, the National Scholastic Press Association named four student broadcast news programs as winners of its prestigious Pacemaker during an awards ceremony at the the Fall National High School Journalism Convention, in Philadelphia.

“The Pacemaker is the association’s preeminent award,” executive director Laura Widmer said. “NSPA is honored to recognize the best of the best.”

The NSPA Pacemaker award has a rich tradition and the association started presenting the award to high school newspapers a few years after the organization was founded in 1921. Throughout the years, yearbooks, magazines, online sites and broadcast programs were added to the competition.

In September, 13 Pacemaker finalists were recognized, representing seven states. Texas and Florida set the pace with four finalists each. A single middle school broadcast was recognized.

Each school entered three programs from the 2023-24 school year. A team of three judges, collegiate broadcast professors and professionals in the broadcast industry, viewed each entry discussing and analyzing its strengths and weaknesses before selecting the finalists and Pacemakers.

“The winning entries stood out for not just their technical quality, but in the stories being covered,” Gary Lundgren, associate director and contest coordinator, said. “The writing, editing, hosting and the willingness to tackle relevant topics make these exceptional newscasts from start to finish.”

For judging, high school shows were divided into live and pre-recorded categories. The frequency of the broadcast was also considered. All middle school/junior high broadcasts competed in a separate category.

“The quality of the broadcasts is incredible and gets stronger each year,” Lundgren said. “It is exciting to watch the growth in broadcast programs in high schools across the country.”

Fall 2024 Pacemakers
presented Nov. 9, 2024

Broadcast
Newspaper/Newsmagazine/ Specialty Magazine

2024 Individual Awards
presented Nov. 9, 2024

All categories
Broadcast Story of the Year
Cartoon of the Year
Design of the Year
Digital Story of the Year
Photo of the Year
Story of the Year
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Fred Ross Systemic Change Student Journalism Competition
Local Climate Change Reporting
Portfolio of the Year
Best Use of Social Media

Philadelphia Best of Show
presented Nov. 9, 2024

Individual Recognition
Staff Recognition

The Voyage
Christopher Columbus High School
Miami, Florida
Producer/editor: Sebastian Broche
Advisers: Omar Delgado, Christina Insua

Raider305
Gulliver Preparatory School
Pinecrest Florida
Producers/editors: Desmond Howard, Julia Piquet, Nirav Budhrani
Adviser: Zach Garrett

DTV News
Davison High School
Davison Michigan
Producer/editor: Chayton Harris
Advisers: Randy Scott, Amy Lesko

Hill Top News
Rock Hill High School
Frisco, Texas
Producers/editors: Taylor Bedford, Alexander Jones
Adviser: Margie Raper