{"id":621918,"date":"2024-12-17T13:58:50","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T19:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/?p=621918"},"modified":"2025-03-21T17:48:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T22:48:14","slug":"2024-yearbook-pacemaker-finalists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/2024-yearbook-pacemaker-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Yearbook Pacemaker finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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NSPA names \u2018best of the best\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pacemaker competition recognizes 59 yearbook finalists for journalistic excellence<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dec. 17, 2024<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 The nation\u2019s top scholastic yearbooks were recognized today by the National Scholastic Press Association, which announced 59 finalists in its annual Pacemaker competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Pacemaker is the association\u2019s preeminent award,\u201d Executive Director Laura Widmer said. \u201cNSPA is honored to recognize the best of the best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pacemaker finalists will be honored and will receive plaques during a special recognition ceremony on Friday, April 25, at the JEA\/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention<\/strong><\/a> in Seattle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pacemaker winners will be announced for the first time on Saturday, April 26 at the convention\u2019s awards ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NSPA Pacemaker, one of the oldest awards for scholastic journalism, has a rich tradition. The association started presenting the prestigious award to high school newspapers soon after the organization was founded in 1921. Throughout the years, yearbooks, magazines, online sites, broadcast programs and innovation were added to the competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe yearbooks selected as Pacemaker finalists represent strong visual and verbal storytelling. The judges were highly selective, recognizing approximately 20 percent of the entries,\u201d Associate Director Gary Lundgren said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two teams of three judges devoted three days to the judging and studied every entry, discussing its strengths. The status of each entry was agreed upon by at least two of the three judges. In Pacemaker competition, the yearbooks compete against each other and are not scored on a rubric. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The high school yearbooks competed in categories based on the number of pages \u2014 340 or more pages, 337-288 pages, 286-235 pages, 232 or fewer pages. Junior high\/middle school yearbooks of all page counts complete in a category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the process was completed, 59 finalists were named representing the top 18 percent of all entries. In April, 22 yearbooks will earn Pacemaker awards \u2014 representing the top seven percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the 59 finalists, 11 are from junior\/high and middle schools with 47 from high schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yearbooks from 17 states earned Pacemaker-finalist status. Texas set the pace with 15 finalists, followed by Arizona and Missouri each with six and California and Colorado each with five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collegiate yearbook Pacemaker finalists will be announced by the Associated College Press, the NSPA collegiate organization, in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A \u201cFrom the Yearbook Pacemaker Judges\u201d panel discussion is planned for JEA\/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention<\/strong><\/a> in Seattle. Judges will share what sets apart the Pacemaker-winners and showcase the yearbooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An online webinar is also planned for those unable to attend the Seattle convention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation showcasing the yearbooks will be available for download for classroom use. Selected Pacemaker-winning yearbooks will also be available for download for study and inspiration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Please join us at the JEA\/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention<\/a><\/strong> April 24-26, 2025, in Seattle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The convention offers hundreds of instructional sessions, keynote speakers from national newsmakers, dozens of media critiques, JEA\u2019s popular on-site media contests and the announcement of NSPA Pacemaker winners. NSPA also offers a convention Best of Show competition that celebrates current student media work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2024 Yearbook Pacemaker finalists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

listed by state<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Prospector
<\/strong>Apache Junction High School
Apache Junction, Arizona
Editors in chief: Tiffany Hutcheson, Ragan Stoltz
Adviser: Jason Davis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Oro<\/strong>
Cactus Canyon Junior High School
Apache Junction, Arizona
Editors in chief: Candice Bates, Presley Tosko, Stacy Ventura Guerrero
Adviser: Jason Davis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ingenium
<\/strong>Greenfield Junior High School
Gilbert, Arizona
Editors in chief: Abbey Bozovich, Ava Jackson, Izabella Shutt, Annie Smith, Jillian Sobol
Adviser: Jennifer Ann Parsons<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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La Cresta
<\/strong>Desert Ridge Junior High School
Mesa, Arizona
Editor in chief: Sienna Grant
Adviser: Jeanette Lockwood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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La Vista
<\/strong>Mountain View High School
Mesa, Arizona
Editors in chief: Lucy Garn, Timothy Sherwood
Adviser: Landon Wrather<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The River
<\/strong>Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School
Phoenix, Arizona
Editor in chief: Zoe Lay
Adviser: Nikki Monaco<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Round-Up
<\/strong>Woodland Junior High School
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Editors in chief: Harper Davidson, Emmett Jackson
Adviser: Andrew Young<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wingspan<\/strong>
James Enochs High School
Modesto, California
Editors in chief: Lacy Texeira, Byron Ulloa Camacho
Adviser: Tamra McCarthy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Traditions
<\/strong>Del Norte High School
San Diego, California
Editors in chief: Sabine Sommers
Adviser: Robin Christopher<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Talon<\/strong>
The Harker School
San Jose, California
Editors in chief: Angelina Hu, Claire Su
Adviser: Kevin Oliver<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Imperium<\/strong>
Iron Horse Middle School
San Ramon, California
Editors in chief: Ellie Gijbels, Hayoung Lee, Tammy Liao, Aarna Sapra
Adviser: Michelle Hamon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cayuse
<\/strong>Walnut High School
Walnut, California
Editors in chief: Henri Chau, Priya Kankanala, Athena Kusserow, Elsa Qin, Kenneth Yu
Adviser: So Hee Tan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lair<\/strong>
Drake Middle School
Arvada, Colorado
Editors in chief: Riley Devitt, Ella Felix, Hattie Hermsen, Kaylan Lessen, Opal Morris-Gonzales, Salamiia Nasiedkina, Charlotte Nations, Lauren Nguyen, Boston Patton
Adviser: Laurel Wicke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Summit<\/strong>
Smoky Hill High School
Aurora, Colorado
Editor in chief: Jaya Casteneda
Adviser: Carrie Faust<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cougar Prowl
<\/strong>Cresthill Middle School
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Editors in chief: Catherine Bartels, Ezra McGinnis, Lily Stene
Adviser: Gina Claus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Black & Gold
<\/strong>Rock Canyon High School
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Editors in chief: Chloe Farson, Alexandra Gustafson, Shea Thompson
Adviser: Kristi Rathbun<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Priam<\/strong>
Longmont High School
Longmont, Colorado
Editors in chief: Maddy Cannon, Cole Gaddis, Fiona Glynn, Yuno Ide, Kate Thiltgen
Adviser: Annie Gorenstein-Falkenberg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chieftain
<\/strong>Jupiter Community High School
Jupiter, Florida
Editors in chief: Elizabeth Cappiello, Cecelia Oneid, Ava Saunders
Adviser: Ericka Muncy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Columbian<\/strong>
Columbia High School
Lake City, Florida
Editors in chief: Madison White
Adviser: Michael Malcom-Bjorklund<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Raider
<\/strong>Gulliver Preparatory
School Miami, Florida
Editors in chief: Mia Carrasco, Julia Fogel
Adviser: Monica Rodriguez<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fusion
<\/strong>Hagerty High School
Oviedo, Florida
Editors in chief: Shannon Hahn
Adviser: Brit Taylor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jabberwokk<\/strong>
Darlington School
Rome, Georgia
Editors in chief: Aiden Parsa
Adviser: Ethan Pender<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Etruscan
<\/strong>Glenbrook South High School
Glenview, Illinois
Editors in chief: Chloe Eimer, Aditya Shah, Allie Shelest
Adviser: Brenda Field<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Red & Black
<\/strong>Lawrence High School
Lawrence, Kansas
Editors in chief: Maeslyn Hamlin, Maya Smith
Adviser: Barbara Tholen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Brickhouse
<\/strong>Shawnee Mission North High School
Overland Park, Kansas
Editor in chief: Lauren Hansen
Adviser: Becky Tate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Hart
<\/strong>Bishop Miege Catholic High School
Roeland Park, Kansas
Editors in chief: Josie Herald, Grace Vanice
Adviser: Sarah McCambridge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Lair
<\/strong>Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Shawnee, Kansas
Editors in chief: Danie Eaves, Marissa Buffon
Adviser: Chris Heady<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ship
<\/strong>Presque Isle High School
Presque Isle, Maine
Editors in chief: Adelaide Baser, Sydney Lavigne
Adviser: Marcie Young<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pawesehi<\/strong>
Parkway West High School
Ballwin, Missouri
Editors in chief: Abigail VanValkenburgh, Allison VanValkenburgh
Adviser: Lindsey Katz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Le Flambeau
<\/strong>Notre Dame de Sion High School
Kansas City, Missouri
Editors in chief: Sophia Grantham, Hannah Lange
Adviser: Valerie Crook<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Reflector
<\/strong>Lee’s Summit High School
Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Editors in chief: Lily Ullery
Adviser: Jessica Flowers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ayrie<\/strong>
Liberty North High School
Liberty, Missouri
Editors in chief: Abby Agnew, Kelsey O’Riley
Adviser: Ronna Sparks-Woodward<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rambler
<\/strong>Ladue Horton Watkins High School
St. Louis, Missouri
Editors in chief: Jax Bespalko, MJ Bezzant, Claire Malone
Adviser: Sarah Kirksey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spirit
<\/strong>Lindbergh High School
St. Louis, Missouri
Editors in chief: Bethany Goodson, Audrey Scarpace, Anna Waters
Adviser: Carrie Rapp<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tesserae
<\/strong>Corning-Painted Post High School
Corning, New York
Editors in chief: Dorothy Piech, Gwendlyn Wieland
Adviser: Katie Paulison-Harris, Mike Simons<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Torch
<\/strong>Athens Drive Magnet High School
Raleigh, North Carolina
Editors in chief: Izzy Luck, Clare Roth, Aubrey Word
Adviser: Elizabeth Luna<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Cougar
<\/strong>Highland East Junior High School
Moore, Oklahoma
Editors in chief: Paisley Noles, Elyssa Perez, Trinity Wilson
Adviser: Erik Jackson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lion Tracks
<\/strong>Cottage Grove High School
Cottage Grove, Oregon
Editors in chief: Cole Kishen
Adviser: Jayden Tucker<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Green & Gold
<\/strong>West Linn High School
West Linn, Oregon
Editors in chief: Chiara Arendt, Elise Meikle
Adviser: Glenn Krake<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Campus
<\/strong>Kiski Area High School
Vandergrift, Pennsylvania
Editors in chief: Peyton Martin, Caylie Tursky
Advisers: Sarah Gracey, John Swanson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lion’s Roar
<\/strong>Christ Presbyterian Academy
Nashville, Tennessee
Editors in chief: Lauren Kelly, Meghan Milligan, Ellie Roper
Adviser: Heather Nagel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Bard
<\/strong>Hill Country Christian School
Austin, Texas
Editors in chief: Abe Rheinheimer
Advisers: Jess Beal, John Horvath<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lone Star
<\/strong>James Bowie High School
Austin, Texas
Editors in chief: Parker Ledford, John Walton
Adviser: Lindsey Shirack<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Creek
<\/strong>Caney Creek High School
Conroe, Texas
Editors in chief: Liz Fierros, Natalia Molina, Angelica Palacios
Advisers: Stephen Green, Leigh Anne Treistman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Carillon<\/strong>
Episcopal School of Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Editors in chief: Kate Eastin, Kristin Doebele
Adviser: Ana Rosenthal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Legend
<\/strong>El Dorado High School
El Paso, Texas
Editor in chief: Diego Cruz-Castruita
Adviser: Vanessa Martinez<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Frontier
<\/strong>Chisholm Trail High School
Fort Worth, Texas
Editor in chief: Sydney Hawkins
Adviser: Cortney Wood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The BluePrint
<\/strong>Bill and Cindy Haskett Junior High School
Katy, Texas
Editors in chief: Alyvia Douglas, Olivia Hicks, Alexis Jewell
Adviser: Candice Thomas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Panther Den
<\/strong>Liberty Hill High School
Liberty Hill, Texas
Editors in chief: Monique Achumuma, Tatum Grisel
Adviser: Jamie Zorn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Arena
<\/strong>Legacy High School
Mansfield, Texas
Editors in chief: Raylee Mallett
Advisers: Rachel Dearinger, Leland Mallett<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Lion
<\/strong>McKinney High School
McKinney, Texas
Editors in chief: Summer Lario, Blanca Ramos
Adviser: Yary Lira<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Panther
<\/strong>Ridgeview Middle School
Round Rock, Texas
Editors in chief: Julianne Faccone, Hannah Moreno
Adviser: Vicki Felkel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dragon<\/strong>
Round Rock High School
Round Rock, Texas
Editors in chief: Alyssa Campbell, Liliana Livsey
Adviser: Sharon Kubicek<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Hawk
<\/strong>Pleasant Grove High School
Texarkana, Texas
Editors in chief: Brooklyn Gibson, Lauren Hornsby, Norah Jordan, Jace Ramos
Adviser: Charla Harris<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Tiger
<\/strong>Wills Point High School
Wills Point, Texas
Editors in chief: Ashley Canel, Kensli Lancaster
Adviser: Regina DeDominicis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Cub
<\/strong>Wills Point PK-8
Wills Point, Texas
Editors in chief: Hayley Haney
Adviser: Regina DeDominicis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crag<\/strong>
Turner Ashby High School
Bridgewater, Virginia
Editors in chief: Mia Flory, Kendra Gillette, Alex Reid
Adviser: Leslie Stevens<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Showcase
<\/strong>UPrep
Seattle, Washington
Editors in chief: Kian Baghai, Eliza Barton
Adviser: Scott Collins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pantera<\/strong>
Mead High School
Spokane, Washington
Editors in chief: Charles Ring
Adviser: Makena Busch<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NSPA names \u2018best of the best\u2019 Pacemaker competition recognizes 59 yearbook finalists for journalistic excellence Dec. 17, 2024 MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 The nation\u2019s top scholastic yearbooks were recognized today by the National Scholastic Press Association, which announced 59 finalists in its annual Pacemaker competition. \u201cThe Pacemaker is the association\u2019s preeminent award,\u201d Executive Director Laura Widmer said. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/621918"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=621918"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/621918\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":622044,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/621918\/revisions\/622044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=621918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=621918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=621918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}