By Melanie Schnell

After two semesters of uploads and edits, the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) granted the North Star staff the Online Pacemaker Award.

The award winners were announced at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism convention in San Francisco, April 27.

The Online Pacemaker is the highest honor NSPA offers and is awarded to high school news organizations that demonstrate excellence in design, navigation, writing/editing, graphics and interactivity.

The North Star submitted an entry form mid-January and received their first critique early February in which they were deemed a “second rate news organization” by NSPA judges.

During the February and March review period, the North Star uploaded text and multi-media content on a daily basis.

The staff used the honest feedback in the critique to improve their website in all regards – but primarily breaking news, opinion writing and interactivity.

“The critique really helped us to figure out what we needed to focus on to improve and to get the judges’ attention,” said advisor Tara Jewell.

One major improvement that the website has undergone is the addition of seven regular bloggers.  Under Blog Editor Emma Dawson, the North Star features text and video content created by freelance bloggers.

The North Star also boasts a feature length news show, The North Side, under Director Ian McCafferty and Producer Ali Bettuzzi.  The show is a compilation of clips developed and filmed by North Star staff members and bloggers.

After two years of existence, this is the website’s first Pacemaker.