{"id":623444,"date":"2025-09-11T13:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T18:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/?p=623444"},"modified":"2025-11-22T14:45:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T20:45:38","slug":"2025-newspaper-newsmagazine-specialty-magazine-pacemaker-finalists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/2025-newspaper-newsmagazine-specialty-magazine-pacemaker-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Newspaper\/Newsmagazine, Specialty Magazine Pacemaker finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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NSPA names top newspapers, specialty magazines<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Pacemaker competition recognizes 41 finalists for excellence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sept. 11, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 Honoring the nation\u2019s best, the National Scholastic Press Association has named 41 scholastic student newspapers, newsmagazines and specialty magazines published during the 2024-25 school year as finalists in its prestigious Pacemaker competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NSPA Pacemaker finalists will be recognized and the Pacemaker winners announced for the first time on Nov. 15, at the NSPA Awards Ceremony during the JEA\/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention<\/strong><\/a> in Nashville.<\/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

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 41 Pacemaker finalists represent 12 states as well as the United Kingdom. California set the pace with 12 finalists, followed by Texas with eight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two teams of three judges worked remotely judging and studying every entry discussing its strengths and weaknesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The high school newspapers\/newsmagazines competed in two categories based on school enrollment \u2014 less than 1,800 students and 1,800 or more students. There are 29 high school newspaper\/newsmagazine Pacemaker finalists and 13 of those will earn Pacemakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Junior high\/middle school newspapers\/newsmagazines as well as specialty magazines competed in separate categories. There are four junior high\/middle school Pacemaker finalists and three of those will earn Pacemakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specialty magazines provide in-depth, long-form stories focused on timely topics\/issues relevant to a student audience. The content of a specialty magazine frequently focuses on a single topic\/issue. A specialty magazine has its own identity and name and it is not a special edition of a newspaper\/newsmagazine. Topical magazines such as sports, science, business or entertainment also compete in this category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are eight specialty magazine Pacemaker finalists and three of those will earn Pacemakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Literary arts magazines compete in a separate Pacemaker competition with a Nov. 24 entry deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gary Lundgren, associate director and coordinator of the Pacemaker competition, observed that specialty magazines are growing in popularity in high schools across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith most news being delivered online, student journalists have been redefining their print newspaper,\u201d Lundgren said. \u201cMore and more that means transitioning from a traditional newspaper format to a specialty magazine with in-depth reporting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insights and observations from the judges about the Pacemaker winning publications will be posted after the Pacemaker winners are announced along with the names and professional bios of the judges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn addition to demonstrating excellence in key areas including coverage, writing, editing, design and photography, the winning newspapers\/newspapers took risks and served as a strong voice for its student audience,\u201d Lundgren said. In this competition, only the print news product was judged. A separate NSPA 2025 Online Pacemaker <\/strong><\/a>competition recognized 34 finalists and awarded 13 Pacemakers in April. Several schools earned Pacemaker honors for both their print and online products.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Please join us at the JEA\/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention<\/a><\/strong> Nov. 13-16, 2025, in Nashville.<\/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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2025 Newspaper\/Newspaper, Specialty Magazine  Pacemaker finalists<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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

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Highlander
<\/strong>Carlmont High School
Belmont, California
Editor-in-chief: Daniella Smit
Adviser: Justin Raisner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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El Estoque
<\/strong>Monta Vista High School
Cupertino, California
Editors-in-chief: Samika Bhatkar, Ananya Chaudhary, Kathryn Foo, Jami Lim, Alan Tai, Alyssa Yang
Advisers: Vennessa Nava, Julia Satterthwaite<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Accolade
<\/strong>Sunny Hills High School
Fullerton, California
Editor-in-chief: Alexxa Berumen
Adviser: Tommy Li<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Town Crier
<\/strong>Paul Revere Middle School
Los Angeles, California
Editor-in-chief: Noah Beroukhim
Adviser: Eric Wechsler<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Campanile
<\/strong>Palo Alto High School
Palo Alto, California
Editors-in-chief: Alec Bonnard, Julian Hong, Holden Lee, Kate Xia, Lucas Yuan
Adviser: Rod Satterthwaite<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Verde
<\/strong>Palo Alto High School
Palo Alto, California
Editors-in-chief: Lizzy Williams, Alma Bendavid, Lia Cardwell
Adviser: Paul B. Kandell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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C Magazine
<\/strong>Palo Alto High School
Palo Alto, California
Editors-in-chief: Kayley Ko, Katelyn Pegg, Anika Raffle, Gin Williams
Adviser: Brian Wilson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Viking
<\/strong>Palo Alto High School
Palo Alto, California
Editors-in-chief: Emil Bothe, Claire Cho, Roan Haney, Ethan Wang
Adviser: Brian Wilson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bear Witness
<\/strong>Branham High School
San Jose, California
Editor-in-chief: Ava Stark
Adviser: Yale Wyatt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Epic
<\/strong>Lynbrook High School
San Jose, California
Editors-in-chief: Ashley Huang, Alyssa Wang
Adviser: Josh Miller<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Winged Post
<\/strong>The Harker School
San Jose, California
Editors-in-chief: Katerina Matta, Victor Gong
Adviser: Whitney Huang<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Mirror
<\/strong>Van Nuys High School
Van Nuys, California
Editors-in-chief: Olamide Olumide, Madison Thacker
Adviser: Ron Goins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Mix
<\/strong>Monarch High School
Louisville, Colorado
Editors-in-chief: Zoey Perrine, Brenna Severson
Adviser: Ben Reed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courage
<\/strong>Oviedo High School
Oviedo, Florida
Editor-in-chief: Madeline Baczek
Adviser: Ben Langevin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eagle Eye News
<\/strong>Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Parkland, Florida
Editors-in-chief: Grace Brill, Andie Korenge, Brynn Schwartz
Adviser: Melissa Falkowski<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Muse
<\/strong>A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts
West Palm Beach, Florida
Editors-in-chief: Ellie Symons, Aiden Velez
Adviser: Carly Gates<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Odyssey
<\/strong>Clarke Central High School
Athens, Georgia
Editor-in-chief: Wyatt J. Meyer
Adviser: David A. Ragsdale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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U-High Midway
<\/strong>University of Chicago Laboratory High School
Chicago, Illinois
Editors-in-chief: Jaya Alenghat, Chlo\u00eb Alexander, Clare McRoberts
Adviser: Logan Aimone<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Spartan Shield
<\/strong>Pleasant Valley High School
Bettendorf, Iowa
Editor-in-chief: Ayah Alsheikha
Adviser: Maureen Dyer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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West Side Story
<\/strong>Iowa City West High School
Iowa City, Iowa
Editors-in-chief: Gianna Liu, Marie Stier
Adviser: Sara Whittaker<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Patriot
<\/strong>Shawnee Mission South High School
Overland Park, Kansas
Editor-in-chief: Ren Park
Adviser: Tucker Love<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Harbinger
<\/strong>Shawnee Mission East High School
Prairie Village, Kansas
Editors-in-chief: Avery Anderson, Addie Moore, Conor Vogel, Larkin Brundige
Adviser: Dow Tate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Northwest Passage
<\/strong>Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Shawnee, Kansas
Editor-in-chief: Grace Rau
Adviser: Chris Heady<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On The Record
<\/strong>duPont Manual High School
Louisville, Kentucky
Editor-in-chief: Sammie Haden
Adviser: Matthew Rhinehart<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Cougar Star
<\/strong>Clague Middle School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Editors-in-chief: Annabella Mi, Jay Tavane
Advisers: Sara-Beth Badalamente, Satvika Ramanathan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Communicator Magazine
<\/strong>Community High School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Editors-in-chief: Piper Cooke, Clara Freeth, Gabe Deedler, Janaki Nallamothu, Lucia Page Sander
Adviser: Tracy Anderson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Crane
<\/strong>Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School for Boys
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Editor-in-chief: Emerson Whittaker
Adviser: Christina Hammitt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Central Focus
<\/strong>Francis Howell Central High School
Cottleville, Missouri
Editor-in-chief: Birdie Brereton
Adviser: Matthew Schott<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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North Star
<\/strong>Francis Howell North High School
Saint Charles, Missouri
Editors-in-chief: Violet Newton, Michaela Manfull
Adviser: Aaron Manfull<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Panorama
<\/strong>Ladue Horton Watkins High School
St. Louis, Missouri
Editors-in-chief: Arti Jain, Will Kodner, Lathan Levy, Emily Liu, Katie Myckatyn
Advisers: Abigail Eisenberg, Sarah Kirksey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tribal Tribune
<\/strong>Wando High School
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Editors-in-chief: Noah Iverson, Hayden Pinto
Adviser: Phillip Caston<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Dispatch
<\/strong>James Bowie High School
Austin, Texas
Editors-in-chief: Isabella Verette, Liberty Pittman and Elizabeth Yowell
Adviser: Michael Reeves<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Shield
<\/strong>McCallum High School
Austin, Texas
Editors-in-chief: Chloe Lewcock, Nate Williams
Adviser: Dave Winter<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Geneva Quarterly
<\/strong>Geneva School of Boerne
Boerne, Texas
Editors-in-chief: Ella Dillinger, Emma Malkowski
Adviser: Emily Rawls<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eagle Edition
<\/strong>Episcopal School of Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Editors-in-chief: Sophia Sardi\u00f1a, Lauren Shushi
Adviser: Ana Rosenthal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Focus<\/strong>
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Dallas, Texas
Editor-in-chief: Arjun Poi, Joseph Sun
Adviser: Jenny Dial Creech<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ReMarker<\/strong>
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Dallas, Texas
Editor-in-chief: Hilton Sampson
Adviser: Jenny Dial Creech<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Review
<\/strong>St. John’s School
Houston, Texas
Editors-in-chief: Amanda Brantley, Lily Feather, Aleena Gilani, Elizabeth Hu, Lucy Walker, Serina Yan
Adviser: David Nathan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Edge
<\/strong>Pleasant Grove High School
Texarkana, Texas
Editors-in-chief: Rawya Hazin, Brooklyn Tirone
Adviser: Charla Harris<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Scroll
<\/strong>The American School in London Middle School
London, England
Editor-in-chief: Staff
Adviser: Colin Bridgewater<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Standard
<\/strong>The American School in London
London, England
Editor-in-chief: Oskar Doepke
Adviser: Louisa Avery<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NSPA names top newspapers, specialty magazines Pacemaker competition recognizes 41 finalists for excellence Sept. 11, 2025 MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 Honoring the nation\u2019s best, the National Scholastic Press Association has named 41 scholastic student newspapers, newsmagazines and specialty magazines published during the 2024-25 school year as finalists in its prestigious Pacemaker competition. NSPA Pacemaker finalists will be recognized […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"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\/623444"}],"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\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=623444"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623444\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":624241,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623444\/revisions\/624241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=623444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=623444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=623444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}