Congratulations to the Branham Bear Witness on receiving the 2018 Pacemaker Award at the annual National Scholastic Press Association Conference in Chicago. The award is considered the highest honor in the nation for a student publication.
In a statement, the Branham Bear Witness Editor-in-Chief Michaela Edin said in part: "It's surreal now to have received the greatest and most prestigious scholastic journalism award, the Pacemaker. This is a first not only for the Bear Witness or Branham, but the District as well. I'm so proud to be a part of this news organization and so fortunate to have had the opportunities to go to conferences. Whether it be in Seattle, Dallas, San Francisco, or more recently Chicago, trips like these allow me to expand my skills, learn, be inspired and have fun. These will be experiences that I cherish my whole life and I'm very appreciative of our adviser Mr. Vo for opening these opportunities for the class."
The Bear Witness also received awards at the conference based on design, art and overall quality. Here is the complete list of their awards:
- NSPA Pacemaker
- Best of Show, third place
- Design portfolio: Julia Kolman, first place
- Spread design: Uzor Awuzie, third place
- Cartooning portfolio: Catherine Monroy, fifth place
- Cartooning journalism: Catherine Monroy, third place
