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.

• Judges for the 2010 NSPA Magazine Pacemakers were staff members from the Alaska Quarterly Review.

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 CoverageTell the story of the year — even the seemingly routine or mundane. Note how the secondary elements provide smaller stories, even through photos.

WingsArrowhead Christian AcademyRedlands, Calif.

Content and CoverageFrom the opening spread, a tone is set that all aspects of the school will be covered. The copy tells the story of class activities.

SentryRobinson Middle SchoolFairfax, Va.

Content and CoverageA divider page is a good place to put those topics or other bits of information that don’t fit in a traditional section but are still important to telling the story of the year.

The ClanMcLean High SchoolMcLean, Va.

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 classic design takes the rules and improvises: Strong dominant photo facing the gutter, headline that leads the eye, secondary elements, multiple points of entry.

LogColumbus North High SchoolColumbus, Ind.

Presentation: Layout and DesignNote the strong grid used to structure the page. White space is also used exceptionally well, and the large knockout photo on the left page draws the reader’s eye and leads to the secondary elements on the page.

Ash-A-WutGabrielino High SchoolSan Gabriel, Calif.

Presentation: Layout and DesignA perennial spread on fashion doesn’t have to look cliché. Even the photos look natural, and the page evokes the contemporary fashion with contemporary design.

CayuseWalnut High SchoolWalnut, 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 Strong, storytelling photos are absolutely essential in any yearbook, and this is one area where Pacemaker finalists and winners usually separate from the pack.

OdysseyChantilly High SchoolChantilly, Va.

Photography, Art and Graphics Do not be afraid of using a HUGE candid as a portrait. Here, it works. Make sure you have an exceptional photo because every flaw will be amplified at that size.

IndianShawnee Mission North HSOverland Park, Kan.

Photography, Art and Graphics This is an effect that should not be used on every image but which adds a lot of impact (and might make a marginal image better). Note the restraint — it’s not overdone.

HawkPleasant Grove High SchoolTexarkana, Texas

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 DepthOne important role of a yearbook is to document the year and to acknowledge milestones and special events. This is a spread about the school’s first-ever opening day — from Vol. 1 of the yearbook.

TitaniumAntelope High SchoolAntelope, Calif.

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.

TypographyThe use of a type “cloud” or using type to create an image can be useful to provide information and illustration at the same time.

DecahmianDel Campo High SchoolFair Oaks, Calif.

Reader Service ItemsCaptions are presented along the right rail with small icons corresponding to the the position of each photo.

The EdgeGlacier Peak High SchoolSnohomish, Wash.

Design trend: Diagonal line patternDiagonal lines used as a fill or pattern to form a larger shape are super hot in 2009 and 2010. Expect to see even more of this in 2010 books and 2011 as the trend catches on and is copied.

LairShawnee Mission Northwest HSShawnee, Kan.

Design trend: Diagonal line patternDiagonal lines are all over this book, starting on the cover.

FentonianFenton High SchoolFenton, Mich.

Design trend: Diagonal color barsDiagonal color bars over text are popular in 2009 and 2010. It’s even more effective with a limited palette, such as over black-and-white photos here.

DetailsWhitney High SchoolRocklin, Calif.

Design trend: Hand-drawn artHand-drawn art continues to be a huge trend from 2009 and into 2010.

ProwlerPioneer Middle SchoolTustin, Calif.

PhotoillustrationClever photoillustrations help give the book a magazine feel. This photoillustration is appropriately labeled as such in the lower right corner.

JagMill Valley High SchoolShawnee, Kan.

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.

Want a copy of this show?• No, I won’t e-mail it to you.

• However, you can view and download it from SlideShare at http://slideshare.net/loganaimone

• There’s also a link from http://loganaimone.com

Questions?• You can e-mail me at logan@studentpress.org