Summerville High School
Each year, the National Scholastic Press Association recognizes excellence in student media with scholastic journalism’s preeminent award, the Pacemaker. Pacemakers are awarded in each category of publication — online, newspaper, yearbook, magazine and broadcast.
Entries are judged by teams of professionals based on the following criteria: coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, leadership, design, photography and graphics.
NSPA contacted A.J. Chambers, adviser of daily news broadcast and 2015 Pacemaker recipient Wave TV, for a Q&A. Wave TV is a daily news broadcast from Summerville High School in Summerville, S.C.
NSPA: Tell us a little bit about the editors and staff of your Pacemaker-winning publication.
A.J. Chambers: The Wave TV staff is commonly referred to as “the crew.” The crew includes 43 students from grades 10-12. Students make all production decisions and the crew operates in block classes with two news directors and two producers.
NSPA: How did the staff ensure the quality of the publication?
AC: The crew operates with the motto of “Commit to be Great.” Their goal is to produce the highest quality production in order to inform and entertain the student body. Their production is known as a production produced by teens, for teens. The crew’s goal is to give a voice to the voiceless.
NSPA: Is there any one issue, story, photo, package, etc. that stood out during the year?
AC: Last year, my students watched as a breaking news story about an officer-involved shooting of an unarmed black man made national headlines. Without any hesitation three of my students traveled down the road to cover the Walter Scott shooting. They rubbed shoulders with national news media and reported at the scene of the incident. This story has received many accolades and the students involved say it impacted their life. It solidified our perception in the community as scholastic journalists.
NSPA: Tell us about a hardship or obstacle you felt your staff overcame.
AC: My staff had to completely re-build a program. This involved trying to re-design a classroom with outdated equipment to try to give the feel of a large studio. Although we are producing our show from a classroom never designed as a production studio, my students showed that equipment needs are inferior to good storytelling.
NSPA: What qualities will you remember the most about this Pacemaker-winning staff?
AC: I will remember this staff for their creativity and commitment to the program. They built it on their own. They shaped what the show has become. They are the founding fathers, if you will. We are family now.
NSPA: What does the Pacemaker mean to you and your staff?
AC: To my staff, the Pacemaker is a celebration of their storytelling. We don’t produce our show to earn awards, but the accolades confirm that we should keep doing what we are doing and keep looking for the next story. It’s an honor and we were humbly grateful to receive the Pacemaker along with other fantastic broadcast programs.