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:
- Aerie, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida
- Apollo, Colonial Forge High School, Stafford, Virginia
- Brickhouse, Shawnee Mission North High School, Overland Park, Kansas
- Fusion, Hagerty High School, Oviedo, Florida
- Hauberk, Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas
- Heritage, Shawnee Mission South High School, Overland Park, Kansas
- Horizon, Blue Valley Northwest High School, Overland Park, Kansas
- Lair, Drake Middle School, Arvada, Colorado
- Lair, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Shawnee, Kansas
- Ledoian, Aledo High School, Aledo, Texas
- Marquee, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, West Palm Beach, Florida
- Oro, Cactus Canyon Junior High School, Apache Junction, Arizona
- Panther, H.B. Plant High School, Tampa, Florida
- Portfolio, Patricia E. Paetow High School, Katy, Texas
- Raider, Gulliver Preparatory School, Miami, Florida
- Reflector, Lee’s Summit High School, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
- The Bard, Hill Country Christian School, Austin, Texas
- The Frontier, Chisholm Trail High School, Fort Worth, Texas
- The Legend, El Dorado High School, El Paso, Texas
- The Round-Up, Woodland Junior High School, Fayetteville, Arkansas
- The Stampede, J.W. Mitchell High School, Trinity, Florida
- The Torch, Athens Drive Magnet High School, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Views, Pine Crest School, Boca Raton, Florida
Additionally, the following three new Walsworth customers for 2024 were named Pacemaker Finalists for their 2023 book:
- Crag, Turner Ashby High School, Bridgewater, Virginia
- Lone Star, James Bowie High School, Austin, Texas
- 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!
