McLean High School’s Highlander Newsmagazine staff was just announced as a National Scholastic Press Association newsmagazine / newspaper Pacemaker finalists. Only 45 schools nationwide made the list and only two are from Virginia.  Since 1927, NSPA's Pacemaker competition has been considered by many to be student journalism's highest honor. https://studentpress.org/nspa/2024-newspaper-newsmagazine-specialty-magazine-pacemaker-finalists/

The Highlander, McLean High School
Adviser: Lindsay Benedict

Editors-in-chief: Tanner Coerr, Dania Reza, Philip Rotondo, Madeleine Stigall, Natalie Vu

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NSPA also announced their NSPA Individual Award Finalists. McLean’s yearbook, newsmagazine and broadcast staffs earned finalist recognition in seven separate categories. The competition is rigorous with just nine percent of the 4,800 entries earning finalist status. The top five winners along with five honorable mentions will be named in each contest on Nov. 9, at the NSPA Awards Ceremony during the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Philadelphia.

Caledonia Yearbook, McLean High School
Adviser: Meghan Percival

FINALIST - Category: Design of the Year: Yearbook Theme

Editors-in-chief: Sarah Beach, Hailey Buursink, Alexandria Greenstone, Kate Joo, Lainey Mallard, Lexi Reddy, Aidan Shaughnessy, Malia Solomon, 

FINALIST - Category: Design of the Year: Infographics

Designers: Lexi Reddy & Annika Ryerson

WMHS Broadcast News, McLean High School
Adviser: Lindsay Benedict

FINALIST - Category: Portfolio of the Year: Broadcast Journalist of the Year

Reporter: Karina Bhatt

FINALIST - Category: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Reporting

Reporters: Tanner Coerr, Cece Harmon, Zach Jones

The Highlander Newsmagazine, McLean High School
Adviser: Lindsay Benedict

FINALIST - Category: Digital Story of the Year: Multimedia News Story

Reporters: Ella Herrera, Sakura Mogami

FINALIST - Category: Story of the Year: Sports Story

Reporter: Tanner Coerr

FINALIST - Category: Reporting on Systemic Change: Fred Ross Journalism Competition

Reporter: Allie Deutsch