The student news site of Wayland High School

Wayland Student Press

The student news site of Wayland High School

Wayland Student Press

The student news site of Wayland High School

Wayland Student Press

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News Brief: WSPN’s success at the Kansas City journalism convention

On+Saturday%2C+April+6%2C+the+Wayland+Student+Press+Network+%28WSPN%29+won+first+place+in+the+NSPA+%28National+Scholastic+Press+Association%29+Best+of+Show+Award+competition+for+online+newspapers+with+a+student+body+under+1%2C800+and+its+fifth+consecutive+Online+Pacemaker+at+the+NSPA%2FJEA+Spring+National+High+School+Journalism+Convention+in+Kansas+City.+Three+WSPN+editors+work+was+recognized+by+Quill+%26+Scroll+and+six+WSPN+students+received+awards+for+student+media+contests.+
Credit: Eric Bosco
On Saturday, April 6, the Wayland Student Press Network (WSPN) won first place in the NSPA (National Scholastic Press Association) Best of Show Award competition for online newspapers with a student body under 1,800 and its fifth consecutive Online Pacemaker at the NSPA/JEA Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Kansas City. Three WSPN editor’s work was recognized by Quill & Scroll and six WSPN students received awards for student media contests.

On Saturday, April 6, the Wayland Student Press Network (WSPN) won first place in the NSPA (National Scholastic Press Association) Best of Show Award competition for online newspapers with a student body under 1,800 and won its fifth consecutive Online Pacemaker at the NSPA/JEA Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Kansas City. More than 2,500 high school journalists and advisors attended this year’s convention from 30 states and two countries. 41 WSPN staff members attended the Kansas City convention.

NSPA Best of Show Award for website category: 
Because of the differing sizes of high school publications, NSPA separates the Best of Show Award for online news into two categories: one category with high school enrollment under 1,800 students, and the other with enrollment over 1,800 students. WSPN won first place in the Best of Show Award for the former category. The NSPA Best of Show Awards ranked the best online news publications that attended the Spring National Journalism Convention in Kansas City, MO. Only ten schools were selected for this prestigious award, and WSPN was awarded with a first place trophy.

WSPN’s Best of Show first place trophy. (Credit: Talia Macchi)

2023 Online Pacemaker winner:
WSPN also won its fifth consecutive Online Pacemaker. The Pacemaker Award is given to student media publications that display excellence in journalism, and it is one of the oldest awards for scholastic journalism. Out of 132 applicants and 26 finalists nationwide this year, WSPN was one of 12 schools to win a Pacemaker Award. WSPN received its finalist plaque during the convention’s opening ceremony on Thursday, April 4 and was named an official Pacemaker winner at the awards ceremony on Saturday, April 6.

WSPN’s fifth consecutive Pacemaker award. (Credit: Talia Macchi)

Quill & Scroll awards:
Before the convention, currently enrolled high school students were invited to enter the Quill & Scroll Writing, Photo, and Multimedia contests. Quill & Scroll awards recognize outstanding student writing, photography and multimedia. Listed from lowest ranking to highest ranking, contest awards were separated into four categories: honorable mentions, third place, second place and first place.

  • News writing, honorable mention: Nadya Chase and Talia Macchi
  • Column writing – non sports, honorable mention: Ryan Chase
  • Sports action photography, first place: Sasha Libenzon

WSPN student media contest award recipients:
While at the convention, student journalists participated in the Journalism Education Association (JEA) media contests. Some media contests required students to submit their work before the convention to receive on-site critiques, while other contests took place during the convention. Listed from lowest ranking to highest ranking, contest awards were separated into three categories: honorable mention, excellent and superior.

  • Online news package, superior award: Bella Schreiber, Tina Su and Hallie Luo
  • First year photo, excellent award: Edge Wheeler
  • Press law and ethics, honorable mention: Penelope Biddle
  • News writing, excellent award: Ainsley Jay
Co-Editors-in-Chief Talia Macchi and Nadya Chase share a smile with WSPN’s Pacemaker and Best of Show award. (Credit: Emma Zocco)
Co-editors-in-chief Talia Macchi and Nadya Chase share a smile with WSPN’s Pacemaker and Best of Show award. (Credit: Emma Zocco)
Co-editors-in-chief Talia Macchi and Nadya Chase share a smile with WSPN’s Pacemaker and Best of Show award. (Credit: Emma Zocco)
Co-editors-in-chief Talia Macchi and Nadya Chase share a smile with WSPN’s Pacemaker and Best of Show award. (Credit: Emma Zocco)
Co-editors-in-chief Talia Macchi and Nadya Chase share a smile with WSPN’s Pacemaker and Best of Show award. (Credit: Emma Zocco)

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Your donation will support the student journalists of Wayland High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment, cover our annual website hosting costs and sponsor admission and traveling costs for the annual JEA journalism convention.

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About the Contributors
Talia Macchi
Talia Macchi, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Talia Macchi, Class of 2024, is a third year reporter and a Co-Editor-in-Chief for WSPN. She is a field hockey captain and a Window Dance Ensemble director at WHS. In her free time, Talia enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling and watching movies. Contact: [email protected]
Nadya Chase
Nadya Chase, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Nadya Chase, Class of 2024, is a third year reporter and a co-editor-in-chief for WSPN. Inside of school, she is the secretary of National Honor Society. Outside of school, she enjoys karate, reading, walking her dogs and spending time with family and friends. Contact: [email protected]
Emma Zocco
Emma Zocco, Social Media Editor
Emma Zocco, Class of 2025, a third year reporter and the social media editor for WSPN. Emma plays for the varsity field hockey team, and in her free time, she likes to spend time with friends, read, travel and with her family. Contact: [email protected]
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