NSPA Names 26 Walsworth Schools as Pacemaker Finalists
The National Scholastic Press Association named 26 Walsworth middle and high school finalists for the prestigious NSPA Pacemaker Award for their 2024 yearbooks! The Pacemaker Award is the highest honor given by the National Scholastic Press Association as a recognition of excellence in student journalism.
NSPA only granted this elite status to 59 schools in 2024, which represents 18% of total submissions. From the Pacemaker Finalists, 22 will be awarded the NSPA Pacemaker in April in Seattle and receive their recognition plaque, totaling about 7% of total submissions.
“The Pacemaker is the association’s preeminent award,” Executive Director Laura Widmer said on their Facebook page. “NSPA is honored to recognize the best of the best.”
The following 2024 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. The Prospector, Apache Junction High School, Apache Junction, Arizona
2. The Torch, Athens Drive Magnet High School, Raleigh, North Carolina
3. The Hart, Bishop Miege High School, Roeland Park, Kansas
4. Oro, Cactus Canyon Junior High School, Apache Junction, Arizona
5. The Frontier, Chisholm Trail High School, Fort Worth, Texas
6. Lair, Drake Middle School, Arvada, Colorado
7. The Legend, El Dorado High School, El Paso, Texas
8. Raider, Gulliver Preparatory School, Miami, Florida
9. Fusion, Hagerty High School, Oviedo, Florida
10. Lone Star, James Bowie High School, Austin, Texas
11. Chieftain, Jupiter Community High School, Jupiter, Florida
12. Campus, Kiski Area High School, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania
13. Reflector, Lee’s Summit High School, Lee’s Summit, MO
14. The Arena, Legacy High School, Mansfield, Texas
15. Ayrie, Liberty North High School, Liberty, Missouri
16. The Lion, McKinney High School, McKinney, Texas
17. Le Flambeau, Notre Dame de Sion High School, Kansas City, Missouri
18. The Ship, Presque Isle High School, Presque Isle, Maine
19. Brickhouse, Shawnee Mission North High School, Overland Park, Kansas
20. The Lair, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Shawnee, Kansas
21. Crag, Turner Ashby High School, Bridgewater, Virginia
22. Showcase, UPrep, Seattle, Washington
23. The Tiger, Wills Point High School, Wills Point, Texas
24. The Cub, Wills Point PK-8, Wills Point, Texas
25. The Round-Up, Woodland Junior High School, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Additionally, the following new Walsworth customer for 2025 was named Pacemaker Finalist for their 2024 book:
26. Pantera, Mead High School, Spokane, Washington
26. Pantera, Mead High School, Spokane, 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 59 Pacemaker Finalists as well as individual award winners can be found at the NSPA website. Congratulations to all Pacemaker Finalists!
