As the Marriott Marquis ballroom in San Francisco, California filled with over 5,000 high school journalists and publication advisors, the anticipation grew. The opening ceremony of the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association spring convention listed the names of Pacemaker Finalist yearbooks for 2017, an award given to 55 yearbooks across the country April 12. Two days later, the NSPA announced 24 of those schools receiving the Pacemaker award April 14. Among those was the 2017 Le Flambeau “If You Only Knew,” lead by alumnae co-editors-in-chief Chloe Long and Marie Orrick, both graduates from the class of 2017.

“I cried real tears when [journalism teacher Alison Long] called to tell me,” Long said. “We’re so proud of everyone.”

Le Flambeau was the only yearbook in the state of Missouri to win the Pacemaker award and one of three in the Kansas City area. Total, there were 525 yearbooks that entered the NSPA competition. The award status is agreed upon by two of three judges, according to the NSPA website. Each publication must show excellence in categories such as writing, editing, coverage, design and photography. Current senior co-editor-in-chief Mariah Lynn focused on achieving this excellence knowing the staff would reap the benefits.

“Throughout all of last year the goal was to create a Pacemaker book and then seeing the finished product, it came out so well,” Lynn said.

Earning a Pacemaker award is symbolic of more than just hard work, according to senior co-editor-in-chief of this year’s yearbook Lexi Smith.

“It feels amazing to get Pacemaker because we knew the book was good and we loved the theme and look of the book and knew that it had the possibility to win,” Smith said. “But when you look at all the competition from all over the country it’s really amazing that even though we are a small school, we can compete with all books and receive the top award.”

After receiving the award, the yearbook staff is more motivated than ever. They’ve found a renewed energy, according to Smith.

“We talk all the time about having high standards because we want to be Pacemaker but then after actually receiving the award and being reminded of how big of a privilege it is, we realize how high the stakes are and are ready to step up in order to accomplish the award again with this book,” Smith said.

Looking forward, this yearbook staff is eager to follow in the footsteps of “If You Only Knew.” While they are dedicated to making a yearbook for the student body, they cannot help but work to continue the Pacemaker legacy.

“Even though we are creating a very different book, we still have the goal to become Pacemaker winners,” Lynn said. “It’s a bit intimidating to be the editors of this book the year after it won, but I know that we have the skills and style to win again if we continue to work hard.”