Press Release: Best of the Best
The 2023 edition of the iliad was one of six literary magazines recognized as a Pacemaker by the National Scholastic Press Association.
The National Scholastic Press Association recognized the iliad Literary-Art Magazine as one of six 2023 Pacemakers on April 6 in Kansas City, Missouri at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention.
“The Pacemaker is the association’s preeminent award,” Executive Director Laura Widmer stated in a press release. “NSPA is honored to recognize the best of the best.”
A panel of three judges reviewed every Pacemaker entry, reviewing its strengths. The evaluation of each entry was agreed upon by at least two of the three judges. When the vetting process was completed, 17 literary arts magazines, representing the top 35 percent of all entries, were named as 2023 Pacemaker finalists on March 1.
Ten states submitted entries which were recognized as either finalists or Pacemakers. The seven 2023 Pacemakers represented six states, with Florida having five magazines recognized. Previously, the iliad was named a Pacemaker finalist in 2020 and 2022, and a Pacemaker in 2010, 2021 and 2023.
“The literary-arts magazines selected by the judges reflect both classic and contemporary formats,” Gary Lundgren, associate director and coordinator of the Pacemaker competition, stated in a press release. “The quality of the art, photography, poetry and prose showcased on the pages of these magazines is amazing.”
Class of 2023 Clarke Central High School graduate Salai Diekumpuna, the Outreach Director of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine gives her senior speech during the ODYSSEY Media Group’s annual senior banquet on May 21, 2023, at Trump’s Catering. Diekumpuna was on staff for two years and contributed to the 2023 edition, which received NSPA’s most prestigious award, the Pacemaker. “It meant the world to me to let Kaija Gilbertson Hall, Ethan Caspary Poucher and Salai Diekumpuna, our 2023 seniors, know the magazine was a Pacemaker,” Ragsdale said. “It has to feel good to end your high school career with such a prestigious honor.”
Award-winning literary arts magazine advisers from three states served on the judging panel. Judges did not participate in the evaluation or discussion of magazines from their schools. Judges included Rebecca Cox, Arkansas, retired; Laurie Hansen, Minnesota, retired; and David Ragsdale, Georgia.
For Ragsdale, iliad’s adviser, sharing the news with the Class of 2023 iliad editors was a treat.
“It meant the world to me to let Kaija Gilbertson Hall, Ethan Caspary Poucher and Salai Diekumpuna, our 2023 seniors, know the magazine was a Pacemaker,” Ragsdale said. “It has to feel good to end your high school career with such a prestigious honor.”
Story by Olivia Hendershot
Olivia Hendershot is a junior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief for the iliad literary-art magazine. Hendershot hopes to expand iliads outreach as well as make positive improvements to the program. In her free time, she likes listening to music, sketching/painting and hanging out with friends.