The 2018-2019 U-High Midway is a finalist for a top national student journalism award.

The Pacemaker Award, presented by the National Scholastic Press Association, has recognized journalistic excellence in student publications since the 1920s. 

The Pacemaker is considered the association’s preeminent award. 

“NSPA is honored to recognize the best of the best,” Laura Widmer, executive director, said in a statement on the organization’s website.

The 49 finalists, representing 16 states, were selected out of 220 publications from 33 states. Out of the finalists, 19 winners will be announced at the National High School Journalism Convention Nov. 21-24 in Washington, D.C.

The Midway was also a finalist in 2017 but was a winner 10 additional times in its history.

While the recognition is an honor, student journalists realize it is not won without determination.

“I distinctly remember just how hard our entire staff worked to make the Midway a success,” Priyanka Shrijay, one of three 2018-19 Midway editors-in-chief, said. “I left my time at the paper genuinely proud of the 10 issues we created together last year. It really is a testament to how committed we were as a staff to making the Midway as powerful as it could be.”