26 Walsworth Schools Named NSPA Pacemaker Finalists

We are thrilled to announce 26 middle or high schools who partnered with Walsworth Yearbooks have been named finalists for the prestigious NSPA Pacemaker Award for their 2023 yearbooks! The Pacemaker Award is the highest honor given by the National Scholastic Press Association as a recognition of excellence in student journalism.

Only 56 schools received this award in 2023. From the Pacemaker Finalists, a smaller number will be awarded the NSPA Pacemaker in April.

The following 2023 yearbooks that Walsworth Yearbooks printed were named as NSPA Pacemaker Finalists, demonstrating the commitment of both schools and Walsworth to providing high-quality publications for students:

1. Aerie, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida
2. Apollo, Colonial Forge High School, Stafford, Virginia
3. Brickhouse, Shawnee Mission North High School, Overland Park, Kansas
4. Fusion, Hagerty High School, Oviedo, Florida
5. Hauberk, Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas
6. Heritage, Shawnee Mission South High School, Overland Park, Kansas
7. Horizon, Blue Valley Northwest High School, Overland Park, Kansas
8. Lair, Drake Middle School, Arvada, Colorado
9. Lair, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Shawnee, Kansas
10. Ledoian, Aledo High School, Aledo, Texas
11. Marquee, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, West Palm Beach, Florida
12. Oro, Cactus Canyon Junior High School, Apache Junction, Arizona
13. Panther, H.B. Plant High School, Tampa, Florida
14. Portfolio, Patricia E. Paetow High School, Katy, Texas
15. Raider, Gulliver Preparatory School, Miami, Florida
16. Reflector, Lee’s Summit High School, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
17. The Bard, Hill Country Christian School, Austin, Texas
18. The Frontier, Chisholm Trail High School, Fort Worth, Texas
19. The Legend, El Dorado High School, El Paso, Texas
20. The Round-Up, Woodland Junior High School, Fayetteville, Arkansas
21. The Stampede, J.W. Mitchell High School, Trinity, Florida
22. The Torch, Athens Drive Magnet High School, Raleigh, North Carolina
23. Views, Pine Crest School, Boca Raton, Florida

Additionally, the following three new Walsworth customers for 2024 were named Pacemaker Finalists for their 2023 book:

24. Crag, Turner Ashby High School, Bridgewater, Virginia
25. Lone Star, James Bowie High School, Austin, Texas
26. The Edge, Glacier Peak High School, Snohomish, Washington

The NSPA Pacemaker Award is open to any NSPA member publication, and the contest recognizes exceptional yearbooks across multiple factors, including:

• Coverage and Content: Yearbooks must demonstrate a well-rounded and informative representation of school life, events, and student activities.
• Writing and Reporting: Engaging and accurate writing is crucial for captivating readers and delivering compelling narratives.
• Leadership: Yearbooks showcase the strong leadership and dedication of student editors and staff.
• Design and Photography: Yearbooks must boast visually appealing layout, creative design elements and high-quality photographs.
• Graphics: Effective use of graphics enhances presentation and clarity of information.

The entire list of 56 Pacemaker Finalists as well as individual award winners can be found at the NSPA website. Congratulations to all Pacemaker Finalists!