the pacemaker nspa 12a

THE PACEMAKERRecognizing excellence in student media since 1927.

JEA/NSPA Seattle Convention • April 14, 2012

NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATIONLogan Aimone, Executive Director

This presentation is available at slideshare.net/loganaimoneand permission is given for educational use.

Wednesday, April 18, 12

INTRODUCTIONThe Pacemaker is the highest honor

in scholastic journalism. For decades, it hasrecognized trend-setters and go-getters, effort

and enterprise, achievement and talent.

Today, the Pacemaker continues to recognizethe best student journalism in the nation.


KEEP IN MIND…The images seen in this presentation are

Newspaper Pacemaker Finalists from the 2010-11academic year plus 2011 yearbooks and magazines.

Newspaper winners will be announcedat Saturday’s awards ceremony.

Inclusion of a publication in this presentationdoes not indicate status as a winner.

Do not read anything into whetheran example was included here.


WHO’S JUDGING?

Pacemaker judges are professionals working in media as well as a range of experts familiar with student media.

Judges for the 2010-11 NSPA Pacemakers included working professionals, veteran advisers,

and a team from the Alaska Quarterly Review.


WHO’S JUDGING?Judging is by team. We ask the media organization to compile a group with representation from various

departments (writer, editor, designer, photographer, etc.).

Entries are judged holistically. There is not a rubric with points attached to certain criteria.

Judging is by nature somewhat subjective based on established standards of scholastic journalism.


HOW DO THEY JUDGE?• The number of Pacemaker finalists and winners is

proportional to the number of entries.

• The number is not fixed each year, but about half of the finalists will be named winners.

• This is a contest, not a critique.

• NSPA asks judges to provide general feedback on the finalists. Some teams are more thorough. Comments will be shared on our website as part of the winners gallery and in our book, Best of the High School Press.


WHAT DO THEY JUDGE?• Content

• Quality of writing and editing

• Presentation: Layout and design

• Photography, art and graphics

• Reporting: Type and depth (newspaper)

• Editorial Leadership (newspaper)

• Overall concept or theme (yearbook, magazine)


CONTENT & COVERAGE• The publication should accurately reflect all aspects of student

life, from academics to sports, arts to community news.

• Newspapers should localize national or regional stories for their own campus communities. Wire or reprinted copy is discouraged.


CONTENT & COVERAGE

The front page presents the reader with a blend of hard and softer news. It is focused primarily on campus news with one story about the community. The High Tide knows, the stories have to be local, local, local.

High TideRedondo Union HSRedondo Beach, Calif.


CONTENT & COVERAGE

When a story with national impact also has a local facet, it deserves Page One attention. Again, the emphasis here is local.

UpdateH.H. Dow HSMidland, Mich.


CONTENT & COVERAGE

Another page from the same paper demonstrates good feature coverage — relevant, close to home and interesting. This one presents student and faculty opinions on the qualities of a good teacher.

UpdateH.H. Dow HSMidland, Mich.


CONTENT & COVERAGE

Three excellent coverage components are presented here: A hard news story about Advanced Placement tests, a local analysis of a national trend and a local connection to an international story.

El EstoqueMonta Vista HSCupertino, Calif.


CONTENT & COVERAGE

Rather than simply reporting a bunch of national statistics in a generic and unusable way, the HiLite looks in the mirror and poses the question to its audience to advance the story and bring a local perspective. Asking whether your school matches a national trend is a great localizer.

HiLiteCarmel HSCarmel, Ind.


CONTENT & COVERAGE

The important question answered here is “how.” It’s not news that the budget is being cut, or maybe even the amount being cut. Telling readers how the cuts will affect the campus? That’s useful and relevant.

StampedeBurges HSEl Paso, Texas


CONTENT & COVERAGE

Taking aim at a popular game involving drinking alcohol, the CSPress showcases the real dangers behind the common (and likely accepted) activity. Agenda-setting is an important function of the student press.

CSPressCactus Shadows HSCave Creek, Ariz.


CONTENT & COVERAGE

Story, images and student quotes combine to cover the start-of-school activities.

FentonianFenton HSFenton, Mich.


CONTENT & COVERAGE

Depth coverage about relationships and religion also has a place in the yearbook.

LairShawnee Mission Northwest HSShawnee, Kan.


CONTENT & COVERAGE

Cheating? At a private school? This book portrays the year truthfully and as it really happened.

TeresianSt. Teresa’s AcademyKansas City, Mo.


WRITING & REPORTING• Writing should be crisp. Reporting must be thorough.

• Copy should be clean and edited for consistent style.

• Look at NSPA Story of the Year winners for examples of excellence: http://www.studentpress.org/nspa/winners/story11.html


http://www.studentpress.org/nspa/winners/story10.html

http://www.studentpress.org/nspa/winners/story10.html

PRESENTATION:LAYOUT & DESIGN

• The publication should have a clean and contemporary look.

• Visual hierarchy is established.


PRESENTATION

The Spartana’s traditional layout is able to deliver the reader an overview of important news items in a clear and organized way. Note the multiple points of entry and the logos that are common. Small bits of text are approachable.

The SpartanaHomestead HSFort Wayne, Ind.


PRESENTATION

In contrast, The Marshfield Times presents a contemporary look with an attention-grabbing image, bold headlines and a skinny rail on the right. Note also the discipline to color palette.

The Marshfield TimesMarshfield HSCoos Bay, Ore.


PRESENTATION

This inside spread breaks down a visual story into visual components. Star ratings aid the reader.

HarbingerShawnee Mission East HSPrairie Village, Kan.


PRESENTATION

Event coverage is grouped in modules. Type is contemporary, as are tight crops.

LaconianSalem HSSalem, Va.


LAYOUT & DESIGN

Traditional layout still works, and here it’s tweaked just enough to make it contemporary and fresh.

StampedeJ.W. Mitchell HSNew Port Richey, Fla.


PHOTOGRAPHY, ART & GRAPHICS

• Visuals enhance the verbal content and draw in the reader.

• Quality of photos and art is technically excellent.


PHOTO, ART & GRAPHICS

The graphic does more to convey the information to readers than most of the text. The asbestos problem is clear, and readers need to understand why school was canceled. This graphic communicates the message almost instantly.

EchoSaint Louis Park HSSaint Louis Park, Minn.



A strong student illustrator is an asset. This illo is so clear, the text is almost redundant. Any staff with a good illustrator should give that student free rein. Any staff without a good illustrator should go find one.

The Eagle AngleAllen HSAllen, Texas



The illustration here is necessary because using a file photo of students dancing might be cliché (or unavailable). An illustration allows the focus to be on the concept, not the people in the photo.

VerdePalo Alto HSPalo Alto, Calif.



The staff of H cleverly used the app icons to indicate stories within the pages of that issue. Very clever and captures the moment quite well.

HHorizon HSScottsdale, Ariz.



Another strong illustration conveys the concept of bullying. Note how the editorial text doesn’t intrude on the art or illustrative text. The color palette for the teaser boxes supports the water colors in the art.

The ShieldMcCallum HSAustin, Texas



An iconic image is given a new twist here. Even the use of “search for a happier meal” in the headline supports the concept. The teaser box and index don’t compete for attention, either.

FourcastThe Hockaday SchoolDallas, Texas



Text bubbles (repeated throughout), vertical text, halftone screens. It’s all very trendy.

TeleiosMount Paran Christian SchoolKennesaw, Ga.



Photo from unusual angle + graphic effects = a very dynamic spread.

AerieBrentwood SchoolLos Angeles, Calif.



The whole book is clean and understated. This environmental portrait sets a tone, too.

MarksmenSt. Mark’s School of TexasDallas, Texas



Traditional layout gets kicked up a notch with a retro-cool two-tone screen in the upper left.

LegendBoone HSOrlando, Fla.


REPORTING:TYPE & DEPTH

• Major stories should show evidence of multiple sources.

• Series or in-depth pieces should be prominent.


REPORTING

A couple routine school news items are sidebars to the main package on athletes drinking alcohol before practice. Only so many items can be on Page One, and they are balanced well here.

Blue & GoldFindlay HSFindlay, Ohio


REPORTING

At Davis HS, students with medical marijuana permits can’t have the drug on campus. The Hub staff puts the dilemma squarely before the readers in a story that earned very high praise from Pacemaker judges.

The HubDavis HSDavis, Calif.


REPORTING

The Campanile staff not only explains the budget excess and how it might be dealt with. Rather than one comprehensive story, smaller pieces each play a role in the overall coverage.

The CampanilePalo Alto HSPalo Alto, Calif.


REPORTING

The most common story in 2010-11 was on cyberbullying, a topic which had the nation’s attention. The better coverage went beyond simply laying out a definition and rehashing national media reports to instead supply a local connection and the impact on that campus’ students.

The Trojan BluestreakAndover HSAndover, Kan.


REPORTING

The controversy around ADD medication is explained here.

ReMarkerSt. Mark’s School of TexasDallas, Texas


EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP• Opinion pages should be alive with a variety of content: staff

editorials, cartoons, letters and personal columns.

• Content should be consequential.


EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP

In addition to the strong coverage of the issue of parenting, what stands out here is the teaser for the staff editorial — the thesis is presented on Page One with the full story teased inside. That’s innovative and gives prominence to the staff ’s view.

The StandardThe American School in LondonLondon, England



A pro-con piece is presented well. In this case, the topic is relevant and has two distinct viewpoints. Consider adding a section where each student writer offers rebuttal to the other’s argument.

The SouthernerHenry W. Grady HSAtlanta, Ga.



A variety of art (cartoons and illustrations) as well as mugs break up these pages of text.

2010 WINNERThe FalconerTorrey Pines HSSan Diego, Calif.



A praise editorial is a nice change of pace. Many student voices are evident.

2010 WINNERThe Stagg LineA.A. Stagg HSStockton, Calif.


CONCEPT / THEME• Concept unifies coverage and content.

• Theme is relevant to current year or issue and provides structure for storytelling.


CONCEPT/THEME

Snapshots

TitanianSan Marino HSSan Marino, Calif.


CONCEPT/THEME

Visual continuity is extended inside. White borders give the “snapshot” feel.

TitanianSan Marino HSSan Marino, Calif.


CONCEPT/THEME

Where amazing happens

DetailsWhitney HSRocklin, Calif.


CONCEPT/THEME

Type and color is on trend. A “5W’s” idea of “what” and “who” extends the theme.

DetailsWhitney HSRocklin, Calif.


SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE

• Work on the content. Dig around your campus and community for real stories. Don’t overplay or sensationalize. Cover all aspects and all groups.

• Pay attention to photography and graphics. These two areas help your publication stand out from others. Think of the best way to tell a story for readers to read and understand.



• Details make the difference. Typography, white space, style — these are what set Pacemakers apart.

• Have a strong editorial voice. Make the editorial pages a lively forum on substantive topics.



• Make every story polished. Write tight. Readers will read long if it’s good. Put columnists on a word count diet.

• Take your own photos or use common works. Find images to use under a Creative Commons license or similar permission to use. Attribute correctly. WikiCommons and Flickr both have free images.



• Consider the alternatives. Look to alternate story forms in addition to the traditional story or copy block. Not only will your content attract more readers, the stories that need traditional treatment will stand out, too.

• Don’t just copy the leaders. They aren’t copying you. They’re finding a new and innovative ways to present information. They’re setting the pace.


WHAT’S NEXT?

The 2011 Pacemaker winnerswill be announced Saturday afternoon.

Enter your student media in the 2012 contests. Watch your email and our website for deadlines

and entry forms.


QUESTIONS?

Thanks!

E-mail: [email protected]: slideshare.net/loganaimone


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

the pacemaker nspa 12a

Education

content coveragestory

content coveragecheating

content coveragetaking

content coveragerather

content coveragewhen

content coveragedepth

content coverageanother

content quality of writing