The Loyola chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America won the Pacesetter Award in the 2010 National Conference in Washington, this past October.

Not all of the PRSSA students went to the conference. The group of students who did attend consisted of new members, new executive board members, and non-mass communication majors.

This was the first conference trip for those who did attend. Other chapters at the conference had an average of 30 or more students, while Loyola’s chapter had fewer than 10.

But that did not stop Loyola’s chapter from winning the Pacesetter award. The Pacesetter Award is given to the college chapter of PRSSA that shows the most energy, friendliness, professionalism and a welcoming attitude towards other chapters.

Loyola’s efforts were aided by the “mannequin arm.” The mannequin arm represents somewhat of a spirit stick, a tradition that has been on going since one of the veteran chapters found it on the street and made it infamous, said Ashley Stevens, PRSSA president and music senior. It found its way on to Twitter as the “hashtag” #mannequinarm.

“The Pacesetter Award would not have been won without the mannequin arm,” Stevens said.

The mannequin arm motivated Loyola’s chapter to break out of the comfort zone and get rid of the fear of uncomfortable situations. The national PRSSA president, Nick Lucido, said that Loyola rightfully won the Pacesetter Award.

“Certain people go above and beyond and this year it was Loyola University. They went out of their way and stepped up. Chapter President decided and (Loyola) proved themselves,” Lucido said.

The PRSSA students who attended signed their chapter name on the mannequin arm. Loyola was named the winner of the Pacesetter Award at the president’s lunch on the last day of the conference.

Jasmine Barnes can be be reached at [email protected]