The National Scholastic Press Association announced today that the North Star is a finalist for the Pacemaker award, the organization’s top honor.

The North Star was one of 30 finalists of 172 schools that submitted. The only other publication in Illinois to be nominated for the award was Hinsdale Central’s Devil’s Advocate.

According to the NSPA website, the site was judged during the months of February and March based on criteria such as writing, editing, content and photography.

The North Star’s editor in chief is senior Katie Jenkins, and its managing editor is senior Taleena Nadkarni. Senior Jakob Wastek serves as the multimedia editor. All of the site’s content is created and edited by its student editorial board and staff writers. Its advisers are Tara Jewell and Ryan Smith.

The North Star won a Pacemaker in 2013 for its online edition and its print edition, which was shuttered at the end of that school year.

Winners will be announced in April at the NSPA convention in Denver.