MINNEAPOLIS – The National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) is pleased to announce the finalists in the prestigious Yearbook Pacemaker competition. High-quality photojournalism and treatment of photography in design were two categories judges said divided this year’s NSPA Yearbook Pacemaker finalists from the rest.
A team of judges comprised of experienced journalism professionals and educators chose finalists from 289 entries, divided into five categories. Being named a Pacemaker finalist is the last step toward winning scholastic journalism’s most prestigious award, the Pacemaker. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention, April 16-19, 2015 in Denver.
Visual elements were key to distinguishing this year’s top books, according to the judges.
“The judges noted that the best books this year really raised the bar on photo usage,†said Kirsten Chang, contest and critique coordinator. “Some aspects they picked out included superb cropping of photos, a focus on emotional and dramatic aspects in photo selection and captions that focused on storytelling in their writing.â€
Judges also indicated that classic elements of quality journalism, such as strong feature copy and strong reporting separated the finalists from other entries. One trend that was clearly evident was a return to classic, structural, grid-based spread design.
All high school entries were divided into four proportionate categories based on total page count, and junior high books were judged separately in one category. Pacemaker judging involves a rigorous process and multiple judges working in consultation with each other to come to a consensus on which books reached the highest levels of journalistic excellence for the year.
After the elimination round, judges spent a day and a half selecting 59 high school yearbook finalists and seven junior high finalists.
“We’ve seen that each year our members come back with stronger and stronger yearbooks,†Chang said. “The Pacemaker is great evidence of NSPA’s mission: The process of critiquing and judging leads to even higher standards for the next set of yearbooks.â€
The Pacemaker winners will be announced at the Spring JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Denver, April 16-19. The NSPA Awards Ceremony is at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18.
The National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) has been supporting and advocating for high school journalism since its founding in 1921. NSPA is home to the prestigious Pacemaker awards. The organization serves members across the United States and abroad in providing educational opportunities through conventions, contests, scholarships, critique services, and much more. NSPA membership includes thousands of student journalists and advisers on the staffs of yearbooks, newspapers, magazines, broadcast programs and online publications. Learn more about NSPA at studentpress.org/nspa.
Contact Kirsten Chang, NSPA contest and critique coordinator, kirsten@studentpress.org, 612.625.4337