Press Release: NSPA Pacemaker Finalist
Above: NEW POSSIBILITIES: The 2023-2024 iliad Editorial Board stands in front of Clarke Central High School on June 28. iliad Outreach Director Niles Flath, a junior, saw the importance of these nationally recognized awards. “This recognition really helps make the Iliad better known throughout our school community. Nationally recognized magazines are rare, and the publicity will really help showcase our brand,” Flath said. “I hope that future staff are inspired by our success to put their heart and soul in up coming magazines, so that we can continue this standard of excellence.” Photo by Aza Khan
The 2024 edition of the iliad was one of 17 literary magazines recognized as a Pacemaker finalist by the National Scholastic Press Association.
The National Scholastic Press Association recognized the iliad Literary-Art Magazine as one of 17 Pacemaker finalists for 2024 on March 31.
“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.”
Pacemakers will be announced on April 25 in Seattle, Washington at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention.
A team of 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 2024 Pacemaker finalists on March 31.
Literary arts magazines from 12 states earned Pacemaker-finalist status. Georgia and Texas set the pace with three finalists each, followed by Florida with two finalists. Previously, the iliad was named a Pacemaker finalist in 2020, 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 the press release. “The quality of the art, photography, poetry and prose showcased on the pages of these magazines is amazing.”
Outreach Director Niles Flath was honored to have worked on the 2024 iliad and sees growth in motivation for future staff.
“This recognition really helps make the iliad better known throughout our school community. Nationally recognized magazines are rare, and the publicity will really help showcase our brand,” Flath said. “I hope that future staff are inspired by our success to put their heart and soul in upcoming magazines, so that we can continue this standard of excellence.”
Above: HARD WORK: Clarke Central High School junior Niles Flath, the Outreach Director, and CCHS senior Flannery Ragan, the iliad Literary-Art Magazin photographer, work in Room 231 at CCHS on Sept. 13, 2023. Flath has been on the iliad staff from 2023-2025. “Being a Pacemaker finalist is incredibly meaningful because it shows the hard work we put into our magazine last year,” Flath said. “Last year's staff was a majority of new editors for the iliad, and this award really shows how well the mentoring in our program is. This is incredibly meaningful as we look to train future staff.” Izzy Duncan
Faculty adviser David Ragsdale re-founded the iliad in 2001 after the magazine had fallen dormant and says the evolution of the magazine is gratifying.
“I’m always amazed by the work our student contributors submit and I’m always eager to see how our Editors-in-Chief will curate the next edition of the book, but beyond the publications and awards, I’m incredibly proud of our EIC, Olivia Hendershot, for her leadership and commitment to the program,” Ragsdale said. “Kudos to Ollie and her team.”
Story by Olivia Hendershot
Olivia Hendershot is a senior 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.