The Cougar Star 2024-2025 Newspaper recently became a finalist for the prestigious Pacemaker competition. Often referred to as the Pulitzer Prize of student journalism, this award has been recognizing the best writing and reporting in student journalism since 1927.
“This was totally unexpected,” said Cougar Star adviser Sara-Beth Badalamente. “Last year was our first time printing our publication since I took over during the pandemic in 2020. To be up for this prestigious award our first time submitting is an honor.”
Along with the Cougar Star, three other publications from various states were selected for this honor. Out of the four finalists, three will be chosen to receive the award.
“I really love the Cougar Star,” seventh grader and Cougar Star co-editor-in-chief Aeda Baang said. “It is a wonderful club where you can learn how to write. We have won many prizes, and I really recommend joining this club.”
The Cougar Star received first place for the website and fourth place for the print edition at the Seattle Journalism Education Association’s National Convention. This was a major achievement for the staff.
“I am so glad we became a finalist,” seventh grader Olivia Yim said. “I am going to work even harder this year for our newspaper to win more awards.”
The Pacemaker award is run by the National Scholastic Press Association, an organization dedicated to showcasing student journalism. NSPA holds many other competitions, including but not limited to the Leadership Award in Student Journalism and the Wikoff Scholarship for Editorial Leadership.
“The nomination was not a goal I had initially planned for,” said Annabella Mi, former website editor-in-chief of the Cougar Star. “I’ve always strived to show the publication in all its true clarity through many different methods, like having a hard-copy issue or redesigning the website for competitions and readership. Being a runner-up for the Pacemaker was just a natural result of The Cougar Star being represented for all it is and for all it does.”
The winners of the Pacemaker Award will be announced at the upcoming NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention, an important gathering for student journalists to showcase their work and receive well-deserved recognition.
“I’m so incredibly proud of the work the students continue to do,” Badalamente said. “Something that stands out about our club is that ALL are welcome.”
Until then, the Cougar Star staff will continue working on new stories and improving their skills as student journalists. No matter the outcome of the Pacemaker Award, the team is proud of how far they’ve come and excited for what’s ahead this school year.
“ When I was told of this news, I was immensely proud, but not surprised,” Mi said. “The Cougar Star is a labor of love — it’s not easy to pursue success for a middle school newspaper, but it’s even harder to defy those implicit expectations and show that we can. As a past Editor-in-Chief of The Cougar Star, I can’t wait to see where this publication goes and what future members will do with it”.
