The National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) released the Pacemaker Finalist information on Thursday, September 27.
In a press release by the NSPA Executive Director Laura Widmer explained the rich tradition of honoring the best of the best each year.
“The Pacemaker is the association’s preeminent award,” Executive Director Laura Widmer said. “NSPA is honored to recognize the best of the best.”
The Little Hawk was named as one of the top 34 print publications in the nation and the only publication finalist in Iowa.
“Having the NSPA recognize The Little Hawk for their work last year is quite an honor,” Mr. Rogers, journalism adviser at City High, said. “Covering a high school and telling the stories of City High has never been more important. I hope The Little Hawk can be a great source for news and entertainment about our community. I also hope people can trust it as accurate and informative source of information online. I know students are proud to be journalists and are taking the skills they learn in the class on to any profession they choose after high school.”
Associate Director Gary Lundgren went on to define how judges selected the winners.
“In 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,” Lundgren said.
Additionally, Goals Should Be Impossible (Tai Caputo, Rosangel Flores-Rubio) was named as a finalist in the Design of the Year: Newspaper Page/Spread category, and Book Bans Infringe Upon Students’ Rights (Tai Caputo) was named as a finalist in the Story of the Year: Editorial category. All finalists can be found on the NSPA website.
The Paceamker and the top five stories of the year awards in each category will be awarded at the JEA/NSPA National Convention in Philadelphia on November, 9th.
