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.
