The Apple Leaf received the highest honor from the National Scholastic Press Association, the Pacemaker Award, at the Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Boston, Mass., on Nov. 16.

The last time The Apple Leaf earned a Pacemaker was in 2006, under the direction of former adviser Logan Aimone, also a former executive director of the NSPA. The WHS student newspaper won the award three straight years, from 2004-06.

“This is a huge honor for our program,” Media Adviser Dave Riggs said. “It’s like the Pulitzer Prize of high school journalism. This just confirms what amazing talent we have at Wenatchee High School.”

Selected editions from the 2012-13 Apple Leaf were entered last summer for the Pacemaker. Finalists were announced in September. The Apple Leaf was one of 15 finalists out of 300 vying for the honor in the Tabloid Division.

The Pacemaker, NSPA’s elite honor for overall excellence, has been awarded by the national high school journalism organization since 1927. Pacemakers are judged by a team of professional journalists. Winners are selected on the basis of coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, editorial leadership, design, photography and graphics.

In addition, the newspaper placed among the top 10 in the nation in the Best of Show competition for the third year in a row at an NSPA-sponsored event. The Apple Leaf entered its third edition from this year in the Best of Show category.

Listen to Bridget on KOHO Radio discussing the significance of the Pacemaker award: http://www.kohoradio.com/?q=news/apple-leaf-newspaper-wins-national-award