eDITING
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Prior to my time as Editor in Chief, the editing process was left to the writer's discretion, meaning articles were shared among fellow staff members only if the writer so chose. That said, our advisor, Mrs. Jennifer Umstead, would always proofread articles before they were published and continues to do so today. When I stepped into my EIC position this year, I knew I wanted a more collaborative and communicative process. Initially, once all members of the staff had drafted their first article, we circled up for an editing roundtable, passing around paper copies of our articles to mark-up. This was a beneficial way for the staff to grow comfortable both making and receiving comments while also ensuring their work benefited under several sets of eyes. However, since our articles are published online on a rolling basis, as everyone fell into their individual writing rhythms, this synchronized editing practice was unsustainable. Instead, we transitioned to writer-read-alouds, where an article is projected on the SMART board and the writer stands at the famed podium to present it at the front of the room. I have found this method to be effective for a number of reasons. To start, this approach
writer-read-aloud editing in progress.
doubles as a practice in public speaking, helping writers grow in presentation skills—to literally find our voice—and motivating us to produce quality writing we are proud to present (work that is then celebrated with a vibrant round of applause upon finishing). To add, often, this is the first time writers will have read their article aloud, forcing them to slow down and hear any awkward phrasing, grammatical errors, or repetitive language. Finally, this editing method nurtures an open dialogue within the news team, allowing articles to improve while everyone learns from everyone's mistakes and strengths.
An example of my google doc comments.
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After revisions are made based on the writer-read-alouds, I, as EIC, review the article line-by-line. By this stage, most of the big-picture concepts have been refined during the news team's discussions from the writer-read-alouds, leaving it as my responsibility to ensure these ideas are clearly articulated and cohesively presented in addition to reading through the article with a fine-toothed comb to catch any lingering issues with grammar or flow. Typically, I will either make these comments on a GoogleDoc copy of the article, email the writer with feedback, or talk through any changes I see fit in person. I am ever cognizant of preserving a writer's voice throughout the editing process, so I make sure my edits are aimed at polishing the work, not rewriting it. As always, communication with the writer is key, and I maintain an open dialogue to discuss the edits and ensure that the final piece is true to the writer's style.
lEADING
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I met with the 2024-2025 News Media members on one of the last weeks of the 2023-2045 school year. The purpose of this meeting was simple: to introduce the incoming staff to our mission, outline our goals, and ignite their enthusiasm for becoming student journalists. When I joined News Media (then called Newspaper) during the spring of my sophomore year, we were lacking an identity. In my junior year, I worked hard with the small and mighty four member staff to find that identity, and as a senior, the News Media team can now proudly work as a cohesive and purposeful unit, driven by a clear vision and a shared commitment to impactful storytelling. One of my most steadfast ambitions has been to raise publication numbers. During that end-of-year meeting, I voiced my confidence that the 2024-2025 team could publish 100 articles in total. By the end of the second semester, we are well on track, with 53 articles published (while also producing 6 Maroon News videos). I am filled with pride to think I consistently worked to create an environment where the team is not only motivated by our mission but also inspired by the potential to surpass our own expectations.
My presentation slides from the end-of-year meeting.
Our mission statement.
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The spreadsheet that tracks our work delegation and production.
My fondest memory of News Media is the first pitch meeting I led as EIC, as it was a moment I had imagined since fifth grade when I started a one-woman newspaper at my elementary school. Until then, we had never had a formal pitch meeting. On that first one, we talked until the bell, the excitement palpable in the air as we brainstormed and built on each other’s thoughts. However, as the rest of the semester went on, our energy at pitch meetings decreased. I was frustrated that the same few members were always the ones offering ideas, and in turn, producing articles or video segments. But I was a friend before I was an EIC, and I understood that while it was not my role to step in as a disciplinarian, I still had to address the uneven contribution. In response, I met with my advisor to problem solve. We decided that she would lead a conversation with the staff, while I would create systems to add more structure to our reporting purpose [see spreadsheet for example]. In the aftermath of these challenges, the News Media team not only reached our publishing goals, but more importantly, became a stronger, more united team.
the first pitch meeting.
tEAM BUILDING
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Ahead of Christmas Break, the news team takes a break to decorate ornaments! It is an ideal festive outlet to channel our creativity somewhere other than our work.
ornaments i have painted in news media!
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This year in December, News Media joined together in a local polar plunge that raised funds for Special Olympics Iowa. As a team, we successfully raised $2,555 for a great cause and bonded in a way that only sprinting into ice water can bond.
Charging into the polar plunge!
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When the 2023-2024 News Media seniors graduated last year, we started a "Hall of Fame" tradition, where members write their name next to their hand print on a poster hanging in the classroom. This poster serves as a tangible reminder of the dedication, creativity, and teamwork that shapes News Media, and as ten more of us prepare to add our handprints come May, it symbolizes the ongoing legacy of our work and the bond we've built as a team.
Last year's seniors making their mark.
