Essays that Worked!

Rebecca Frele '09
Joel Barlow High School, Redding, Connecticut

Above the Fold

You are what you do, you do what you know. It was not until I spent my summer thinking of ways to reestablish the good reputation of the school newspaper that I realized this.

A newspaper typically has different sections: local news, community news, editorials, arts and entertainment, and sports. My life is structured similarly. Despite my small town life, my days can be rather exciting. Friendship Shatters from Unknown Cause. Girl Split Between Jock and Artist. Parents Having Trouble Letting Go. Community news is filled with stories of charity and town events. Girl Donates Baby Blanket to Linus Project. Painted Turtle Saved by Local Teen. My editorials contain my deepest thoughts and values. Putting Others Before Self. On Religion: Are there Multiple Gods? Arts and entertainment houses my interests. Girl Writes Novel and Looks for Publisher. Chorus Department Impressed by Original Song. Sports include my physical activities. Bike Accident Makes Girl Question Benefit of Biking. Girl Finds Interest in Step Aerobics.

Of course some sections overpower others. For example, in any given issue of my life I will always have more editorials and arts than sports. But nevertheless, a paper would not be complete if it did not touch on every aspect. So I try to be well-rounded. It keeps life interesting. It makes me try new things.

I am nothing without my staff supporting me. It takes many people to make a newspaper interesting: photographers, section editors, formatters, and writers. I have my own support staff in my life: my teachers, my family, and my friends. We compliment and challenge each other's personalities and this keeps me active. Teamwork. People must work together. Because when a paper has to be out by four o'clock and articles still need to be reviewed, three more photos need to be taken, and the computer software is not working, the last thing you want is bickering staff members.

To run a newspaper, one must know how to balance. It is simply part of the job description. It is nothing short of a balancing act to print a good issue. An issue that will capture the masses. An issue that will spread the word of the people, by the people, for the people. Balancing the sections so that there is something for everyone. Balancing the angles so that the paper is not too liberal or too conservative. Balancing the appeal to the eye so that there is never too much white space. Constantly balancing. Constantly. It is mandatory that a successful person in today's society balance all responsibilities. And it is a goal of mine to do so with tact and grace.

As with any written publication, some editing is required. There is always room for improvement, always room for growth. No matter how many times a pair of skilled eyes reviews it, there will always be mistakes from which to learn. It is these mistakes that make a paper the voice of the people and some unrealistic aristocratic voiceover. It is these mistakes that keep me connected to the people around me.

So all in all? Roll the press.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 16:06