The staff of The Feather was recognized as one of the top 15 online newspapers in the nation as an Online Pacemaker Finalist at the 2009 JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Phoenix, AZ. The April 16-19 conference marked the fourth year in a row The Feather has received the nomination.
Upon boarding the plane for Phoenix, the staff of The Feather selected several goals for the weekend: to see a view of the cockpit, gain fresh online newspaper tips and return home with two awards plaques.
The first two objectives were accomplished with the help of a friendly pilot and convention speakers. However, the staff fell short of two awards, returning with only the National Scholastic Press Association Online Pacemaker Finalist plaque, and not the Pacemaker winner they hoped for.
“Waiting to hear our names with the rest of the Pacemaker winners was the most nerve-wracking experience since the beginning of the competition,” senior Chelsea Joy, editor-in-chief, said. “I was a little surprised we didn’t win, but I felt more disappointed than anything. Everybody had been working so hard to get another one of those plaques on our ‘trophy wall.'”
Despite the Pacemaker disappointment, the nine staff members who attended the event took classes and workshops in order to learn more aspects of journalism. Sessions included How to Survive (and Love) Editorship, Basic Light and Composition for photographers and News Doesn’t Have To Be Boring.
“The sessions were really interesting because the teachers have a really wide breadth of knowledge and they all approach journalism differently,” junior Suzanna Quiring, features editor, said. “The classes will give me a fresh approach when I continue to edit the paper next year.”
It was really fun getting to know people I don’t normally hang out with at school. Running around the convention center, exploring and going to classes with my friends made us feel more connected and unified as a staff. –Brooke Stobbe
The group also listened to a presentation from Mary Beth Tinker, the keynote speaker for the event, who championed First Amendment rights and set a Court precedent in the famous Tinker v. Des Moines case.
Aside from receiving a plaque honoring The Feather’s Pacemaker nomination, the staff was also awarded fifth place in the Best of Show competition. Greg Stobbe, adviser, expected the results of the competition, but says his staff has learned a valuable lesson.
“I knew they [probably] wouldn’t win, because they didn’t quite keep the pace they did last year [when winning a Pacemaker in 2008],” Stobbe said. “I am still really proud of them for being one of three schools to qualify for a Pacemaker and a [Columbia Scholastic Press Association] Crown.”
In addition to long hours spent in classes and fixing up The Feather’s Web site for the Best in Show competition, the attending staff took time to grow more unified through dinners, “Friends” marathons and late-night games of ‘Big Booty.’
“It was really fun getting to know people I don’t normally hang out with at school,” freshman Brooke Stobbe, staff writer, said. “Running around the convention center, exploring and going to classes with my friends made us feel more connected and unified as a staff.”
Regardless of the disappointment of losing the award, Joy maintains pride in the endeavors the 40-member staff undertook throughout the year.
“I am so proud of the entire staff and I was constantly impressed with the effort they put in,” Joy said. “Even though we didn’t win this time around, I have full confidence in the staff I’m leaving behind and I know that next year’s editors will make the paper even greater.”
For more information on The Feather staff, read the March 27 article, Feather launches new features or the March 10 article, Valley journalism conference awards Feather staffers.
