New Pennies has been created, designed and edited by student's in the Creative Writing II class. We judge over 150 submissions anonymously and choose pieces displaying originality and command of the chosen medium.

For thirty-five of the past thirty-six years, New Pennies has been designated "All American," the highest rating awarded to student publications by the National Scholastic Press Association. The NSPA also recognizes excellence in student publications with its "Pacemaker Award" for exceptional achievement.

New Pennies has received the Pacemaker Award in five different years: 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, and 1988; and was a finalist in 2007. In 1991 New Pennies was inducted into the NSPA's Hall of Fame. Additionally, the New Pennies has received a superior designation from the National Council of Teachers of English. NCTE conducts a program to recognize excellence in high school literary magazines and bestowed it's "Highest Award" on the 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2004, and 2009 editions of New Pennies.