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title: Pacemaker Finalists wow judges with high-quality photojournalism
description: 15 Balfour schools were selected as National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Yearbook Pacemaker&Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Pacemaker finalists.
image: https://blog.balfour.com/hubfs/Tuesday%20Tips/2015/02.06.2015-1.png
---
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# Pacemaker Finalists wow judges with high-quality photojournalism
Feb 6, 2015 [Back to Blogs](https://blog.balfour.com) [ New & Noteworthy ](https://blog.balfour.com/topic/new-noteworthy)
*Fifteen Balfour schools were selected as National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Yearbook Pacemaker and Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Pacemaker finalists.*
Yearbook Pacemakers are awards for excellence in American student journalism, given annually since 1927. The awards are considered to be the highest national honors in scholastic journalism and are unofficially known as the “Pulitzer Prizes of student journalism.” Being named a Pacemaker finalist is the last step toward winning this prestigious award.
Judges select Yearbook Pacemakers based on the following: coverage and content, quality of writing, design, photography, art and graphics.
This year, high-quality photojournalism and treatment of photography in design were two categories judges said divided Yearbook Pacemaker finalists from the rest.
Judges also indicated that classic elements of quality journalism, such as strong feature copy separated the finalists from other entries. One trend that was clearly evident was a return to classic, structural, grid-based spread design.
Listed below are the 15 Balfour schools and universities receiving finalist honors.
**MIDDLE SCHOOL FINALIST**
*The Vespa,* Kealing Middle School, Austin, TX
Kristen Scott, adviser
**HIGH SCHOOL FINALISTS**
*Hauberk,* Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, KS
Dow Tate, adviser
*Reata,* Memorial High School, Houston, TX
Holly Hartman, adviser
*The Indian,* Shawnee Mission North High School, Overland Park, KS
Becky Tate, adviser
*The Lonestar,* Vista Ridge High School, Cedar Park, TX
Jamie Ray, adviser
*Ursus,* Granite Bay High School, Granite Bay, CA
Bernadette Cranmer, adviser
*Sword & Shield,* Saugus High School, Saugus, CA
Christina Tolisano, adviser
*The Black & Gold,* Rock Canyon High School, Highlands Ranch, CO
Kristi Rathbun, adviser
*Replay,* Rouse High School, Leander, TX
Kel Lemons, adviser
*The Tiger,* Texas High School, Texarkana, TX
Rebecca Potter, adviser
**COLLEGIATE FINALISTS**
*Agromeck,* N.C. State University, Raleigh, NC
Martha Collins, adviser
*Ibis,* University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Randy Stano, adviser
*Bluestone,* James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Kristi Shackelford, adviser
*La Ventana,* Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Andrea Watson, adviser
*Aggieland,* Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Bob Wegener, adviser
*NSPA Pacemaker winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention, April 16-19, 2015 in Denver.*
*ACP Pacemaker winners will be announced at the ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Austin, Texas, October 28-November 1, 2015.
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