Crown Point High School’s student newspaper Inklings earned the top national award, the Pacemaker, from the National Scholastic Press Association. This places Inklings among the elite group of best newspapers in the country as Inklings joins 28 print publications across the nation to achieve this highest honor.
This marks the fourth time in six years that Inklings has been named a Pacemaker publication.
The Pacemaker honors those who break new ground in student journalism and truly set the pace for other publications to emulate, according to the National Scholastic Press Association who sponsors the award along with the Newspaper Association of America. The Pacemaker has recognized outstanding student journalism for more than 88 years.
Judges noted that: “Winners tackled difficult topics. They introduced them with strong, well-played photos and illustrations, and the depth of coverage didn’t disappoint. Strong editorials, with local angles on topics of consequence. Outstanding use of information layering.”
Twenty-one Crown Point High School publications students and two publications advisers attended the NSPA national convention in Orlando, Fla. From Nov. 12-15 where the winners were announced. Entries are judged on coverage and content, quality of writing and editing; leadership on the opinion page; evidence of in-depth reporting; layout, design and photography; and art and graphics. Editors of the 2014-2015 Inklings were then-seniors Alaa Abdeldaiem and Christina Winfrey, assisted by Olivia Elston, Nadia Giedemann, and Verda Mirza.
“Earning the Pacemaker award is a dream I have had since I first joined the Inklings staff and now it has been achieved,” Winfrey said. “It’s such a fulfilling feeling to know the staff has carried on a legacy of excellence.”
Abdeldaiem credits the staff’s teamwork as a factor in its accomplishments.
“I was blessed with an amazing staff and while strong writing and design ultimately contribute to the Pacemaker designation, to me, the relationships we had with one another are what made this achievement possible,” she said. “I knew we were a special group from the very start and this award is representation of that.”
Inklings also took third place in the convention’s Best of Show competition for newspapers of 13-16 pages. The staff is currently led by editor-in-chief Natalie Brigham, and assistants Sam Barloga, Maisa Nour, and Chris Rekitzke. Adviser is Julie Elston.
“I am remarkably proud of my students for taking their job as journalists so seriously and using their talents in working tirelessly to bring relevant news to their readers,” Elston said. “Any honors and accolades they’ve been awarded have been earned through hard work and dedication and are well-deserved.”
Four newspaper students and three yearbook students also took individual honors in national Write-Off competition among more than 2,000 participants. Students placed in the following categories: Superior in newswriting, Sam Barloga; Excellent in feature writing, Hannah Bauner; Excellent first year photo, Jaycee Hopper; Honorable Mention sportswriting, Dylan Wallace; Honorable Mention review writing, Maria Leontaras; Honorable Mention photo story, Felicia Wacasey; and Honorable Mention photo portrait, Brandon Dwyer. The yearbook is advised by Lisa Keene.