The Gator Earns Pacemaker Nomination

Gator Staff • February 28, 2024

For the third consecutive year, the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) recognized The Gator as a Pacemaker finalist, making the publication eligible for the top prize later this spring.

The Gator joins 25 other newsrooms from across the country, representing schools of various types and sizes, in receiving this prestigious honor.

“The judging teams will now continue to study the sites named as Pacemaker finalists on a frequent basis,” Gary Lundgren, associate director and coordinator of the Pacemaker competition, said in a press release today. “The Pacemaker winners will be selected shortly before they are named in April, so for the 26 schools we are naming as finalists today, the competition is still happening in real time.”

Earlier this month, Co-Editor-in-Chief Amelia Bowman ’25 also won national recognition from NSPA for two news stories, Community Unites Against Hate: A Call for Education, Empathy, and Advocacy, which won fourth place for best overall news story during the fall semester, and Israel-Hamas War: School Calls for Compassion, which earned an honorable mention in the same category. The newsroom also earned second place for best editorial, A Call for Core Values, and Time for Healing After Racist Incident, which earned an honorable mention in the opinion category.

This is the youngest newsroom in the School’s history, according to David Cutler, who advises the publication,

“After bidding farewell to eight pivotal seniors last year, I distinctly remember cautioning the new editorial team to brace for a season of reconstruction,” Cutler said. “I am thrilled to admit my prediction was off the mark. The students have surpassed all expectations, demonstrating unparalleled dedication and talent. My pride in their achievements knows no bounds. What’s even more exhilarating is the realization that for many of our writers, this journey has only begun. We are merely scratching the surface of their potential.”

This marks the third consecutive year that The Gator has received a Pacemaker Finalist spot. The publication took home the top prize last spring.

Earlier this fall, The Gator also earned its fifth consecutive Crown nomination from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, a similarity prestigious award that also recognizes overall excellence. Finalists are due to be announced in New York on March 15.

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