Q/A
What attracted
you to publications?
When I enrolled in Journalism 1-2 as a freshman, I thought it would just be
another class. However, I quickly became interested in the program and the
many opportunities it offered. I knew I had a special love for journalism
and saw the endless possibilities. In fact, I often found myself sketching
feature packages with sidebars and infographics in my free time.
Do you consider
yourself a newspaper or a yearbook person?
Since I have been actively
involved in the Clarion newspaper for four years, I would consider
myself a more fine-tuned newspaper person. However, I am glad I had the opportunity
to manage the yearbook staff, too.
Did you plan
from the beginning to become an editor some day?
I always knew I would
like to be the editor of our newspaper, but I never dreamed I would be the
editor of both publications. While this may seem like more work than a high
student would want, I have enjoyed the experience.
Of all the work you’ve
done on both publications, does any one story assignment stand out?
I did a center spread
feature about families and the way families affect individual students. I
interviewed students living in some non-traditional families -- with their
grandparents, other relatives and / or even with friends. I also wrote a related
opinion stressing the importance of family time. Since many students are in
this similar situation, I wanted to show the community that a family is about
love
and support -- not the biological factors.
What was your
most difficult time during your editorship? The most rewarding?
Initially, the hardest
part of leading both publications was teaching everyone to become both newspaper
and yearbook-minded. Since we had a young staff, with only eleven yearbook
and newspaper students, producing a yearbook and monthly newspapers was no
small task. I wanted to set an example for the staff members in and outside
of the classroom, so they would be willing to follow my lead and trust me.
By the end of the year, the staff was comfortable working on both publications
as a team, and this final result has been the most rewarding part of the year
for me. As I see staff members learn new concepts, or when I see myself through
others, I derive a real sense of accomplishment.
Do you think that the
work you’ve done on the newspaper and yearbook has made Connersville
a better school?
Through our publications
program, I have touched hundreds of students and community members. When I
dress up the text with graphically-enhanced packages, the readers are more
likely to read the stories. In addition to the impact of the actual newspaper,
I hope my time and commitment to the program shows students that they can
do anything.
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