{"id":624305,"date":"2025-12-17T10:17:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T16:17:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/?p=624305"},"modified":"2026-03-12T21:10:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T02:10:03","slug":"2025-yearbook-pacemaker-finalists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/2025-yearbook-pacemaker-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 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 58 yearbook finalists for journalistic excellence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dec. 18, 2025<\/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 58 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 Pacemakers announced during the awards ceremony on Saturday, April 18, at the JEA\/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention<\/strong><\/a> in Minneapolis. <\/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,\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 108-239 pages, 240-291 pages, 292-339 pages and 340-576 pages. Junior high\/middle school yearbooks of all page counts complete in a category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the process was completed, 58 finalists were named representing the top 17 percent of all entries. In April, 18 yearbooks will earn Pacemaker awards \u2014 representing the top five percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the 58 finalists, eight are from junior\/high and middle schools with 50 from high schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yearbooks from 16 states earned Pacemaker-finalist status. Texas set the pace with 11 finalists, followed by Florida with 10, Missouri with seven and Arizona and California 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.A \u201cFrom the Yearbook Pacemaker Judges\u201d panel discussion is planned for JEA\/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention<\/strong><\/a> in Minneapolis. Judges will share what sets apart the Pacemaker finalists and showcase the yearbooks.<\/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 16-18, 2026, in Minneapolis.<\/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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2025 Yearbook Pacemaker finalists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

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Ingenium<\/strong>
Greenfield Junior High School
Gilbert, Arizona
Editors in chief: Tayler Hagen, Morgan Lake, Brooke Murphy
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: Audriana Carmona
Adviser: Jeanette Lockwood<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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La Vista
<\/strong>Mountain View High School
Mesa, Arizona
Editors in chief: Hayden Bishop, Mia Sweador
Adviser: Landon Wrather<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The River
<\/strong>Akimel A-AL Middle School
Phoenix, Arizona
Editors in chief: Kaila Kasa, Marley Rooks
Adviser: Nikki Monaco<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunset<\/strong>
Corona del Sol High School
Tempe, Arizona
Editors in chief: Hannah Garcia, Sophia Medina
Adviser: Kathy Nicolson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hornet<\/strong>
Bryant High School
Bryant, Arkansas
Editors in chief: Kaylee Anderson, Hannah Heston, Siya Rohant, Caroline Sanders
Advisers: Colton Croy, Justin Turner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Round Up
<\/strong>Woodland Junior High School
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Editor in chief: Parker Sisney
Adviser: Andrew Young<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cardinal & Gold
<\/strong>Oxnard High School
Oxnard, California
Editors in chief: Kenneth Lee, Natalie Munguia-Hernandez, Jayleana Ramirez
Adviser: Kristina Roberts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Details
<\/strong>Whitney High School
Rocklin, California
Editors in chief: Emerson Kibby, Desiree Montejano, Isabella Tomasini
Adviser: Sarah Nichols<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Den
<\/strong>Bernardo Heights Middle School
San Diego, California
Editors in chief: Staff
Adviser: Angel Chapman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dreamscape
<\/strong>Orange County School of the Arts
Santa Ana, California
Editors in chief: Sophia Chau, Hailey Cho, Caroline Kim, Jeongwon Elaine Lim, Sophie Liu, Hailey Perng, Jesper Seet, Ashley Shin, Emily Wen
Adviser: Courtney Harper<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cayuse
<\/strong>Walnut High School
Walnut, California
Editors in chief: Weier Bao, Raelynn Chaturabul, Henri Chau, Auristela Chen, Angelina Loh, Xiomara Lopez, Lindsey Okuno, Ryan Tsai
Adviser: So Hee Tan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Summit
<\/strong>Smoky Hill High School
Aurora, Colorado
Editors in chief: Madisyn Lynninger, Rebeca Spencer
Adviser: Carrie Faust<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Raider
<\/strong>Gulliver Preparatory Middle School
Coral Gables, Florida
Editor in chief: Sofia Caprio
Adviser: Catie Schwartzman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chieftain
<\/strong>Jupiter Community High School
Jupiter, Florida
Editors in chief: Renata De Los Heros Colmenares, Scout Edwards, Bella Venanzi
Adviser: Ericka Muncy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stepping Stone
<\/strong>Melbourne High School
Melbourne, Florida
Editors in chief: Riley Blum, Sarah Cameruci
Adviser: Jamie Reynolds<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Interlachen
<\/strong>Montverde Academy
Montverde, Florida
Editor in chief: Lyder Reksten
Adviser: Savannah Miller<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crusader
<\/strong>River Ridge Middle School
New Port Richey, Florida
Editors in chief: Lia Alston, Kendall Butler, Julie Deg, Kylie Rickert
Adviser: Chrissy Baumaister<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fusion<\/strong>
Hagerty High School
Oviedo, Florida
Editors in chief: Lacee Ginga, Francesca Salas
Adviser: Brit Taylor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Edge
<\/strong>West Broward High School
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Editors in chief: Thea Larragoite, Erica Zuber
Adviser: Brooke Acosta<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Panther
<\/strong>H.B. Plant High School
Tampa, Florida
Editors in chief: Riley Nichols, Maria Palios
Adviser: Christina Porcelli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Stampede
<\/strong>J.W. Mitchell High School
Trinity, Florida
Editors in chief: Jayna Jacklin, Mackenzie Rendall
Adviser: Susan McNulty<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Silvertip
<\/strong>Rocky Mountain High School
Meridian, Idaho
Editors in chief: Cayden Fite, Logan Sailors
Adviser: Marie McCulloch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Beacon
<\/strong>Bettendorf High School
Bettendorf, Iowa
Editor in chief: Bella Howard
Adviser: John Staber<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Talon
<\/strong>Lawrence Free State High School
Lawrence, Kansas
Editor in chief: Richard Li
Adviser: Jared Shuff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Heritage
<\/strong>Shawnee Mission South High School
Overland Park, Kansas
Editors in chief: Leila Henderson, Molly McCracken, Delani Young
Adviser: Tucker Love<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hauberk<\/strong>
Shawnee Mission East High School
Prairie Village, Kansas
Editors in chief: Samantha Atkins, Francie Garrison, Camilla Simmons
Adviser: Dow Tate<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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SHIP
<\/strong>Presque Isle High School
Presque Isle, Maine
Editors in chief: Neja Jayasundara, Madelyn Waugh, Marion Young
Adviser: Marcie Young<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pawesehi
<\/strong>Parkway West High School
Ballwin, Missouri
Editors in chief: Maddy Bach, Claire Francis, Danica Gatchel, Ava Griswold, Gabbie Kerber
Adviser: Lindsey Katz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Talon
<\/strong>Liberty High School
Lake Saint Louis, Missouri
Editor in chief: Lilly Brown
Adviser: Jonathan Hall<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Spectator
<\/strong>Liberty High School
Liberty, Missouri
Editor in chief: Emersyn Holthouse
Adviser: Jamie Munoz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ayrie
<\/strong>Liberty North High School
Liberty, Missouri
Editors in chief: Lydia Klish, Sydney Rickels
Adviser: Ronna Sparks-Woodward<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Predator
<\/strong>Fort Zumwalt West High School
O’Fallon, Missouri
Editors in chief: Addision Baldwin, Allison Bray, Claire Niemeyer
Adviser: Loran Marquez<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rambler
<\/strong>Ladue Horton Watkins High School
St. Louis, Missouri
Editor in chief: Mariana Copeland
Adviser: Sarah Kirksey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spirit
<\/strong>Lindbergh High School
St. Louis, Missouri
Editors in chief: Kate Basler, 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: Abrielle Drehmer, Leila Ianovici, Nate McIntosh
Advisers: Katie Paulsion-Harris, Mike Simons<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lions Tracks
<\/strong>Cottage Grove High School
Cottage Grove, Oregon
Editors in chief: Jayda Bruner, Travis Vaughn, Sienna Wagner
Adviser: Jayden Tucker<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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felis Tigris
<\/strong>Junction City High School
Junction City, Oregon
Editors in chief: Staff
Adviser: Alyssa Terrien<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Juniper
<\/strong>Redmond High School
Redmond, Oregon
Editors in chief: Amelia Eldridge, Apollo Bezdek
Adviser: Hannah Rogers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Lion’s Roar
<\/strong>Christ Presbyterian Academy
Nashville, Tennessee
Editors in chief: Lainey Green, Ana Ruth Mikos
Adviser: Heather Nagel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lone Star
<\/strong>James Bowie High School
Austin, Texas
Editors in chief: Ryleigh Carrasco, Ryan Cruz, Hannah Salz
Adviser: Lindsey Shirack<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Creek
<\/strong>Caney Creek High School
Conroe, Texas
Editors in chief: Logan Day, Ashley Arce Lopez, Jaquelyn Palacios, Ash Rezzoffi
Advisers: Stephen Green, Leigh Anne Treistman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Round-up
<\/strong>Coppell High School
Coppell, Texas
Editor in chief: Raashi Kalyani
Adviser: Katrina Hester<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Legend
<\/strong>El Dorado High School
El Paso, Texas
Editor in chief: Mia Jade Colmenero
Adviser: Vanessa Martinez<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Replay
<\/strong>Rouse High School
Leander, Texas
Editors in chief: Zoe Clark, Zeke Osborn, Faye Zayed
Adviser: Shelby Nickells<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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The Lion
<\/strong>McKinney High School
McKinney, Texas
Editor in chief: Dulce Nu\u00f1ez
Adviser: Yary Lira<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Talon
<\/strong>Hendrickson High School
Pflugerville, Texas
Editors in chief: Millie Chase, Ryleigh Mackey, Brynn Schomaker
Adviser: Kari Riemer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Shield
<\/strong>Kelly Lane Middle School
Pflugerville, Texas
Editors in chief: Taylor Daniels, Vida Filoteo, Lauren Lekoue
Adviser: Garfield Harrison<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dragon
<\/strong>Round Rock High School
Round Rock, Texas
Editors in chief: David Moran, Daniel Thai
Adviser: Sharon Kubicek<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Hawk
<\/strong>Pleasant Grove High School
Texarkana, Texas
Editors in chief: Miley Blain, Reese Gibbs, Ellis Miller, Julianne Naples
Adviser: Charla Harris<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Genesis
<\/strong>Rock Ridge High School
Ashburn, Virginia
Editors in chief: Giada Bazzano, Kaitlyn Gutshall, Rania Lahbibi, Emilia Scovel, Alana Vernon
Adviser: Michelle Prince<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crag<\/strong>
Turner Ashby High School
Bridgewater, Virginia
Editors in chief: Lena Lantz-Trissel, Maggie Olah
Adviser: Leslie Stevens<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Legacy
<\/strong>Potomac Falls High School
Sterling, Virginia
Editors in chief: Cameron Freck, Brynn Hunter, Angelina McMahan, Claire McMahan, Tiba Sabah, Mia Simpson, Romina Verastegui
Adviser: Emily Everett<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

NSPA names \u2018best of the best\u2019 Pacemaker competition recognizes 58 yearbook finalists for journalistic excellence Dec. 18, 2025 MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 The nation\u2019s top scholastic yearbooks were recognized today by the National Scholastic Press Association, which announced 58 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":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\/624305"}],"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=624305"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/624305\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":624504,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/624305\/revisions\/624504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=624305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=624305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=624305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}