PURPOSE: To staff and manage the PLSouthside Scroll student news website, Titan Legacy school newsmagazine and South Star yearbook
BENEFIT: Students develop strong communication skills, attain a deeper connection to and understanding of the school community, and work in a collaborative environment to create professional-level publications for a real audience. Students can specialize in writing, design or photography. Various opportunities for leadership and competition exist. Varsity letter can be earned through points system.
SPONSOR: Anne Albracht
STUDENT LEADERS: Legacy/Scroll – Editor-in-Chief Caitlyn Ybarra, Associate Editors Lydia Farmer and Jackie Trout, Sports Editor Brody Carter, Copy Editor Iliana Vega; South Star – Editors-in-Chief Malayah Ginsburg and Brooklyn Anson, Photo Editor Kaiya Sharpe, Design Editor Ellie Wirth, Theme Ambassador Izzy Peterson, Copy Editors Greysen Harris and Chloe Svendsen
NUMBER OF MEMBERS: 30-40 students on publication staffs; 45-60 in J1
FEES: Participation in annual Craft Show fundraiser required to cover costs of staff shirts, worknight meals, and convention participation.
REGULAR MEETING TIMES: Daily class period, plus occasional worknights
CLASS REQUIREMENT: Journalism 1 (semester prerequisite), JRN:News Magazine/Web (year), JRN: Yearbook (year) – A semester of Journalism 1 is required before enrolling in either publication class. Advanced journalism classes can be taken repeatedly for elective credit, and student leaders typically are students who have been on staff for multiple years.
TRYOUTS: First semester Photographer Tryouts require two best yearbook-worthy news/feature photos and two best sports/action photos from current school year; Leadership application process requires essay and video, plus staff vote.
EVENTS: Walsworth Yearbook Workshop at Embassy Suites in September, Nebraska High School Press Association Fall Convention at UNL in October, UNO High School Media Conference in April, NSAA High School Journalism Championships in April. (Opportunities for out-of-state travel to JEA/NSPA National Conventions each year.)
COMPETITION: Students have opportunities to compete in various categories (writing, design, photography, broadcasting) for the Journalism Education Association Nebraska Winter Contest, the UNO High School Media Conference and the NSAA High School Journalism Championships. See the Hall of Champions for previous first-place medalists in various Journalism events.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Photographers put in a lot of time outside of class covering events in all areas of the school and off-campus. This is a collaborative environment and a team effort that requires full commitment from all members. Student journalists are responsible to the school community they serve. "I think some of the biggest benefits of participating in Journalism are the opportunities; it's not structured like a regular class, and that gives you a chance to work in different circumstances than you're used to. There are still assignments and deadlines, but there is a lot of creative freedom with it. You get to develop your writing voice, and get to mess around with visuals. It gives you a lot of room to make something you're proud of." -Iliana Vega, 11th
