The NSPA Pacemaker, Fall 2009

The PacemakerRecognizing excellence in student media since 1927

IntroductionThe Pacemaker is the highest honor in scholastic

journalism. For decades, it has recognizedtrend-setters and go-getters, effort and

enterprise, achievement and talent.

Today, the Pacemaker continues to recognizethe best student work in the nation.

Keep in mind…The images seen in this presentation are Pacemaker

Finalists from the 2008-09 academic year.

Winners will be announced at Saturday’s awards ceremony.

Inclusion of a publication in this presentation does not indicate status as a winner. Do not read anything into

whether an example was included here.

Who’s judging?• Pacemaker judges are professionals working in media as

well as a range of experts familiar with student media.

• Judges for the 2009 NSPA Newspaper Pacemakers included working or retired professionals from Seattle-area newspapers.

Who’s judging?• Judging is by team. We ask the media organization to

compile a group with representation from various departments (writer, editor, designer, photographer, etc.).

• Entries are judged holistically. There is not a rubric with points attached to certain criteria.

• Judging is by nature somewhat subjective based on established standards of scholastic journalism.

How do they judge?• The number of Pacemaker finalists and winners is

proportional to the number of entries.

• The number is not fixed each year, but about half of the finalists will be named winners.

• This is a contest, not a critique.

• NSPA asks judges to provide general feedback on the finalists. Some teams are more thorough. Comments will be shared on our Web site as part of the winners gallery.

What do they judge?• Content

• Quality of writing and editing

• Presentation: Layout and design

• Photography, art and graphics

• Reporting: Type and depth (newspaper)

• Editorial Leadership (newspaper)

• Overall concept or theme (yearbook, magazine)

Content & Coverage• The publication should accurately reflect all aspects of

student life, from academics to sports, arts to community news.

• Newspapers should localize national or regional stories for their own campus community. Wire or reprinted copy is discouraged.

Content and CoverageA solid variety of student events makes this an interesting opening spread.

DetailsWhitney High SchoolRocklin, Calif.

Content and CoverageA variety of student mugs mixed throughout the pages adds interest and makes readers view more pages.

SurferCoronado Middle SchoolCoronado, Calif.

Content and CoverageThe spread contains thorough coverage of topics from a variety of angles.

LionMcKinney High SchoolMcKinney, Texas

Content and CoverageThe national story about the economy and financial crisis is localized with a specific story about the school and its community of students and families.

The RoundupBrophy College Preparatory AcademyTucson, Ariz.

Content and CoverageA centerpiece package on the experiences of an alumnus when the school was first integrated anchors the page. Hard news items on curriculum and state funding round out the offerings.

Silver ChipsMontgomery Blair High SchoolSilver Spring, Md.

Content and CoverageRelevant and timely stories on Page One include election night results, school budget cuts and “dirty” dancing behaviors. Teasers complete the package.

tjTodayThomas Jefferson HS for Science & TechnologyAlexandria, Va.

Content and CoverageAn timely topic affecting all students — the dress code — is placed on the cover prominently and handled inside with depth coverage.

The BlazerTimberline High SchoolLacey, Wash.

Quality of writing & reporting• Writing should be crisp. Reporting must be thorough.

• Copy should be clean and edited for consistent style.

Presentation: Layout and design• The publication should have a clean and contemporary

look.

• Visual hierarchy is established.

Presentation: Layout and DesignThis traditional layout is a textbook example of how to follow the rules and tweak them ever-so-slightly.

The DeerDeer Park High SchoolDeer Park, Texas

Presentation: Layout and DesignThis is a great example of separating elements using images and planned white space.

HauberkShawnee Mission East High SchoolPrairie Village, Kan.

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It was the first big snow of the season and I got my car in the spring so I hadn’t really driven in winter conditions. And my car has rear-wheel drive. So I was leaving the senior lot through the sophomore lot and there was a big line going really slow becuase of the snow, and I got stuck on a patch of ice. I kept pressing the accelerator but it wouldn’t go and my wheels were turning, so I got out to signal for someone to help me but no one would. I was really panicked and anxious. This turned to embarassment when I was sitting there for like eight minutes and the line was getting longer and people started going around me. Finally a dad got out and got some skater kids to come and help too, and they pushed my car up. When I got home I realized I ddin’t have a lot of air in my tires. Once I put air in, things got a lot better.

I was turning to go down a hill in Mission Hills and my car slid and just kept going. The steering wheel locked up and the car went into a person’s yard. I got stuck there between two trees. George Brett drove by and stopped, and I thought he was go-ing to say something, but he drove away. My neighbors came and put kitty litter under the tires and pushed it out. The front was scratched up because I ran over bushes and I popped a tire. I was kind of in shock – I’ve never hit anything before. I was grateful that something worse didn’t happen.

Left: Sisters Camille and Anna Karro scrape snow off their windshield in the senior lot during an afternoon snow on Dec. 6. “I was really excited to look out the window and see the snow,” Camille said. “But it’s the first year [Anna and I] have our own car, so it wasn’t as exciting to scrape it.” Photo by Nicole Luby.

Right: In the parking lot after school, sophomore Allison Kirby points out sophomore Andrew Dex-ter’s hands. “They were all purple from throwing snowballs,” Kirby said. “We were out there for at least 25 minutes having a snow-ball fight.” Photo by Karen Boomer. Far right: Leaning out her car window, sopho-more Lois Wetzel watches a snowball fight in the se-nior lot as her sister Laura drives. “People were hiding behind cars and throwing snowballs at people’s car windows,” Wetzel said. “It was pretty funny.” Photo by Tayler Philips.

Design by Brooke Stanley.

Right: In the sudden snowfall on Dec. 6, sophomore Ian Boat prepares to throw a snowball at sophomore Beck John-son. “We were just acting like we were in fifth grade again,” Boat said. “One snowball was thrown and then we were just in a huge snowball fight.” Below: Laughing, sophomore Molly Tidrick is hit by a snowball thrown by Boat. “I walked up to the Y and people were throwing snowballs, and my friends started doing it around our cars,” Tidrick said. “There so much snow piled on everything – it was crazy. That was when I started getting excited about winter.” Photos by Karen Boomer.

Headed to a boys swim meet, swim team managers Mary Tanner and Dana Sherard walk to Tanner’s car. “I don’t like snow, but I was kind of glad to see it because it was the first snow of the season and I was hoping we would have a snow day,” Sherard said. “It’s pretty when it first snows, but I hate snow. It’s wet.” Photo by Karen Boomer.

I have a golf course behind my house so I invited friends over to go out on the golf course in the snow. We walked around and had some snowball fights and it turned into a tackling competition. Despite the fact that I had a broken hand, I still got tackled, and I assume it was at this point that I lost my phone. The next morning I realized I had lost it. My mom and I searched the golf course four or five times following the tracks we had left, but didn’t find it. My mom called the golf course to ask if they had found it, and we technically weren’t allowed to be on the golf course so my mom had to confess that we were out there illegally. A week later they found my phone and I got it back somewhat working.

Presentation: Layout and DesignFantastic use of typography and entry points. Note the score box becomes more than a listing — it’s visually interesting.

FentonianFenton High SchoolFenton, Mich.

Presentation: Layout and DesignLots of students are covered in a variety of entry points.

El Camino Real San Gabriel High SchoolSan Gabriel, Calif.

Presentation: Layout and DesignThis page demonstrates strong use of modular layout with an attention to reader entry points through sidebars and the left rail as teasers.

The NexusWestview High SchoolSan Diego, Calif.

Presentation: Layout and DesignA strong, visual centerpiece package dominates the page. Newsier items complete the secondary placements. Good use of sidebar elements to complement the main coverage. Use of color is constrained.

The ProwlCoral Glades High SchoolCoral Springs, Fla.

Presentation: Layout and DesignWow. Clean and simple design that is executed perfectly makes this a supremely attractive page. It also succeeds in not being boring.

SpartanaHomestead High SchoolFort Wayne, Ind.

Presentation: Layout and DesignMultiple entry points invite the reader. Clever illustrative solution avoids a posed photo. Mug shots break up text.

The ConnectionJohn B. Connally High SchoolAustin, Texas

Presentation: Layout and DesignClassic example of modular layout with a centerpiece package (softer news) bracketed by harder news stories.

El EstoqueMonta Vista High SchoolCupertino, Calif.

Presentation: Layout and DesignA model example of modular layout — descending headlines and centerpiece design with strong organization and reader-service elements.

High TideRedondo Union High SchoolRedondo Beach, Calif.

Photography, art and graphics• Visuals enhance the verbal content and draw in the

reader.

• Quality of photos and art is technically excellent.

Photography, Art and Graphics Page of quotes is different and attractive.

The DeerDeer Park High SchoolDeer Park, Texas

Photography, Art and Graphics Dramatic photos have a big impact. Play them large.

IndianShawnee Mission North HSOverland Park, Kan.

348 | many 349closing |

The end of our beginning rounded the corner as we entered 2008. Seniors became the first class in nine years to have open lunch. Juniors prepared for prom, that would take place on April 19 at the Ritz Charles. Sophomores continued trends with the selling of zip-up hoodies, and freshmen supported their boys’ basketball team as it fin-ished the season with a winning record.

We watched junior Jacob Bledsoe sink two half court shots in a row during the halftime show at the boys’ bas-ketball game against Mill Valley. We listened countless mornings as the announcements listed off NJROTC wins. We counted down the months, weeks and finally days left until the last day of school, and still, we remembered the many events, people and places that wrote our story.

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burn baby burn | During the week of Homecoming, Pep Club organized a school-wide bonfire as a way to hype up the student body. As the fire burned, hot dogs were served, the band played and the cheerleaders danced. “I felt proud to go to North,” junior Daniela Iliescu said. “You could feel the spirit all around.”photo by erik johnston

“We, the juniors, are very excited about the improvements of our school for our up-coming senior year.” Eli Eastlund, junior

Photography, Art and Graphics A series of images can be an effective storytelling device.

ShieldThomas Downey High SchoolModesto, Calif.

Photography, Art and GraphicsA creative photoillustration emphasizes one aspect and instantly conveys the story topic to readers. Strong typography helps clarify the message.

SparkLakota East High SchoolLiberty Township, Ohio

Photography, Art and GraphicsIt’s OK to push the envelope. This story is about local kidnappings involving current and former students.

The SquallDexter High SchoolDexter, Mich.

Photography, art and graphicsWonderful and dynamic artwork can really lure in the reader.

The HarbingerShawnee Mission East High SchoolPrairie Village, Kan.

Reporting: Type and depth• Major stories should show evidence of multiple

sources.

• Series or in-depth pieces should be prominent.

Reporting: Type and DepthPlacing a story about Atheism on Page One take guts. It better be well done and thought-provoking, not sensational or biased. This one resulted in a campus dialog and response from school officials in subsequent editions.

ReMarkerSt. Mark’s School of TexasDallas, Texas

Reporting: Type and DepthStudents reported on the school district’s hiring practices regarding criminal background checks. The article resulted in changed policies. This story is a finalist in NSPA’s News Story of the Year contest. Its main author is the 2009 National High School Journalist of the Year.

The SpokeConestoga High SchoolBerwyn, Pa.

Reporting: Type and DepthHelping the audience discover a previously unknown problem — in this case the chaotic world of foster care — is a fundamental role of the press.

The SurveyorGeorge Washington High SchoolDenver, Colo.

Reporting: Type and DepthThe front page of this newspaper is dedicated to a timely topic that is presented without sensationalism and from multiple angles.

The BulletinEl Toro High SchoolLake Forest, Calif.

Editorial leadership• Opinion pages should be alive with a variety of

content: staff editorials, cartoons, letters and personal columns.

• Content should be consequential.

Editorial LeadershipOpinion pages can be vivid and lively, too. Display headlines, a crisp cartoon and illustrative art accompany the columns and staff editorial. The content can and should be treated visually like other pages.(2008 example)

The Peninsula OutlookPeninsula High SchoolGig Harbor, Wash.

Editorial LeadershipA nice blend of staff and student voices is this page’s hallmark. Staff editorial is on a timely topic (asbestos), and speak-outs, letters and columns complete the page. The First Amendment on the ear is a nice touch.(2008 example)

MunsonianMuncie Central High SchoolMuncie, Ind.

Overall concept or theme• Concept unifies coverage and content.

• Theme is relevant to current year or issue and provides structure for storytelling.

2009 Highlights• Several trends for the 2009 Pacemakers can be

identified.

• They experiment with quick-read and alternate story forms to convey a message.

• They tackle sophisticated and timely topics.

• Breaking news is included regularly, including news about the community.

Hard NewsA major story in the region was an outbreak of HIV at a nearby school, resulting in testing and community concern.

The Kirkwood CallKirkwood High SchoolKirkwood, Mo.

Tough TopicSexting was the “hot topic” of 2008-09, and many papers covered the issue as a national trend with specific problems in their communities.

The LanceOmaha Westside High SchoolOmaha, Neb.

Tough TopicIn-depth coverage regarding the death of a student.

The NetworkMarian High SchoolOmaha, Neb.

Hard NewsOne hard news story would be enough for most issues in most papers, but this page has three: community rejection of the budget proposal, students caught drinking on a field trip, and the swine flu scare.

The Highland FlingNorthern Highlands Regional High SchoolN.J.

2009 Design of the Year• Finalists in Illustration, Infographic and Page One

categories

IllustrationFinalist: Lauren CoxRedwood BarkRedwood High SchoolLarkspur, Calif.

IllustrationFinalist: Noah SneiderThe VikingPalo Alto High SchoolPalo Alto, Calif.

IllustrationFinalist: Jolene XieThe NexusWestview High SchoolSan Diego, Calif.

IllustrationFinalist: Mattie NoblesThe RockRock Canyon High SchoolHighlands Ranch, Colo.

IllustrationFinalist: Dillon KogleChieftainMontrose High SchoolMontrose, Colo.

IllustrationFinalist: Lindsay Shores, Laura Seach, Alia Huffman, John HusakMarqueeDreyfoos School of the ArtsWest Palm Beach, Fla.

InfographicFinalist: Alice LeeEl EstoqueMonta Vista High SchoolCupertino, Calif.

InfographicFinalist: Erin SchrodeThe VoiceMarin AcademySan Rafael, Calif.

InfographicFinalist: Tara Gracer, Jeff Lerman, Victor RudoDeerprintsDeerfield High SchoolDeerfield, Ill.

InfographicFinalist: Christopher HsingSilver ChipsMontgomery Blair High SchoolSilver Spring, Md.

InfographicFinalist: Kevin Li, Rohan KusreSparkLakota East High SchoolLiberty Township, Ohio

Newspaper Page OneFinalist: Jamie HausmanStatesmanStevenson High SchoolLincolnshire, Ill.

Newspaper Page OneFinalist: Kirsten RobinsonThe ExpressBlue Valley Northwest High SchoolOverland Park, Kan.

Newspaper Page OneFinalist: Cami WadeNorth StarFrancis Howell North High SchoolSt. Charles, Mo.

Newspaper Page OneFinalist: Rohan KusreSparkLakota East High SchoolLiberty Township, Ohio

Newspaper Page OneFinalist: Mike Barnes, Katie ArquietteThe GrowlMassaponax High SchoolFredericksburg, Va.

Some ways to improve• Work on the content. Dig around your campus and

community for real stories. Don’t overplay or sensationalize. Cover all aspects and all groups.

• Pay attention to photography and graphics. These two areas help your publication stand out from others. Think of the best way to tell a story for readers to read and understand.

• Go in-depth when the story merits. Don’t give a story a double-truck unless the story is worth that much space. Be proportional.

Some ways to improve• Details make the difference. Typography, white space,

color palette, style — these are what set Pacemakers apart. Be disciplined.

• Have a strong editorial voice. Make the editorial pages a lively forum on substantive topics.

• Make every story polished. Write tight. Readers will read long if it’s good. Put columnists on a word count diet.

What’s next?• The 2009 Pacemaker and individual contest winners

will be announced Saturday afternoon.

• Enter your student media in the 2010 contests. Watch your e-mail and our Web site for deadlines and entry forms.

Questions?