The 2016-2017 Arapahoe Herald news magazine has been named as a Pacemaker Finalist by NSPA, the National Scholastic Press Association. The Herald was one of 49 scholastic student newspapers and newsmagazines selected as finalists in its annual Pacemaker competition.      

“The Pacemaker is the association’s preeminent award,” said Laura Widmer, executive director. “NSPA is honored to recognize the best of the best.”

The NSPA Pacemaker award has a rich tradition and the association started presenting the award to high school newspapers a few years after the organization was founded in 1921. Throughout the years, yearbooks, magazines, online sites and broadcast programs were added to the competition. The 49 Pacemaker finalists represent 21 states and England.

In all, 275 student news publications entered the Pacemaker competition. Two teams of three judges devoted two days to the judging and studied every entry discussing its strengths and weaknesses. Pacemaker finalists will be recognized and the Pacemaker winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention, November 16-19 in Dallas.