Paul Revere Middle School Student Newspaper Receives Top Honors

The Town Crier, the student newspaper at Paul Revere Charter Middle School in Brentwood, is one of only two middle school student newspapers in the country earning accolaides from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) this year.

As Pacemaker finalists, journalism teacher Eric Wechsler said he felt entering the school's paper into the annual competition would bring them to a higher level. NSPA honors a number of schools for their newspapers, yearbooks and video programs.

"We figured that if we joined the NSPA and became aware of the standards they set for the student press, we could aim higher and practice a more mature level of journalism," he said, noting his years working at Daily Variety.

Welchsler, who's been at Paul Revere for 11 years and taught the journalism class for nine, said they pattern the format of The Town Crier based on how the Los Angeles Times and New York Times organizes its separate sections for news, sports, entertainment and fashion.

Learning hard deadlines and working within a newsroom is a jump start for Paul Revere students and Welchsler said the NSPA helped clarify their editorial goals, noting the publication is primarily a student-driven effort. He called his students wonderful storytellers.

"They just need discipline in making sure their stories are accurate, timely, relevant and engaging," he added. "The students at [Paul] Revere are powerful learners and performers. They rise to the occasion no matter how high we set the bar."

To view all of the Pacemaker finalists, click here (near the bottom). To view the contest details, click here.

A copy of August/September/October 2012 edition is attached to this post, and it can be viewed on the school website.