Good Morning John Burroughs Named Finalist for National Broadcast Pacemaker Award

Good Morning John Burroughs (GMJB) has been named one of just 18 finalists nationwide for
the 2026 National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Broadcast Pacemaker Award, one of
the highest honors in scholastic journalism.

The recognition celebrates the work of student broadcast programs across the country, with
finalists selected by collegiate broadcast professors and professionals in the broadcast industry.
Each school submitted three broadcasts from the 2025–26 school year for consideration.

According to NSPA, judges evaluated the broadcasts on factors like writing, editing, hosting,
technical quality and the stories being covered. The organization noted that the strongest
programs stood out not only for their production quality, but also for their willingness to tackle
relevant topics and tell meaningful stories.

For GMJB students, the national recognition reflects a year of hard work, creativity and
collaboration.

A special congratulations goes to Kyra Svab, Class of 2026, who served as executive producer
last school year, as well as the many students who contributed to GMJB throughout the year.

“Good Morning John Burroughs is truly a team effort,” said Ryanne Meschkat, JBHS’ Digital
Media and Broadcast Journalism teacher. “Our students could not produce the kind of
journalism they do without a staff that opens its classrooms, agrees to interviews, shares story
ideas and supports students as they learn how to tell meaningful stories about our school
community.”

Of the 18 finalists, six will ultimately be named Pacemaker winners. The winners will be
announced November 21 at the NSPA Awards Ceremony during the JEA/NSPA Fall National
High School Journalism Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Regardless of the outcome, being named among the nation’s top 18 scholastic broadcast
programs is a significant accomplishment for GMJB students and a reflection of the strength of
student journalism at JBHS.

Congratulations to the students, advisors, teachers and entire Burroughs community for
this outstanding achievement!

Read the full NSPA announcement and view the finalist broadcasts