The Mail-Journal, Volume 6, Milford, Kosciusko County, 9 March 1969 — Page 26

Ann Rush First Editor Os 'Smoke Signals’

Early in the fall Ann Rush was selected to a'tt as the first editor-in-chief of the Wawasee Smoke Signals, the high school’s first attempt at a school paper. Her assistant, David Rider, managing editor, also does a regular column called the Athletic Funk and Wagnall for the sport page. " L Page editors include ~ Alesia Watson, page one editor, who has the job of deciding on news and pictures important enough a for front page coverage. Debbe Cawby assjgns, edits and makes up the editorial page. Betsy Buis is in charge of the feature page and the sport page editor is Ric Clingaman. Several columns are regular features of the Smoke Signals.' One of these is written by Steve Kiser and called “Commons Comments.” Another is the “Teepee Tattler” written by Jean Haver first semester and by Betsy Buis the second semester. Bits and pieces of the lighter side of school life find their way into these columns. JoAnne Thornburg does a regular editorial cartoon feature Bridget Davenport, Daphne Har up, Sandra Yeager, Betty Murphy, Jann Shoemaker, Janet Fisher, Denny Carlton, Dave Smith, Mary Miller, Cathy Fick, Dal? Wollman, Lowell Coverstone, Jim deSomer, Joe Thornburg, Jan Black, Lynn Stalter, Danny Dust, Bob Blue and Pat Peters cover beat assignments, type copy, sell ads and do dozens of other odd jobs necessary to getting the paper out. The business end of the paper is in the hands of Pat Peters, the business manager and Lowell Coverstone, the advertising manager. Jan Black is in charge of circulation. WhyT School Paper? The principle “Where there is a student body there is need for a newspaper” has long been accepted by progressive high schools. Wawasee high school is no exception. , With 736 students, 41 faculty members and 232 classes meeting every day, there is bound to lie a lot happening. The journalism classes under the instruction of Mrs. Max Ellen Smith have the job of keeping themselves and the student body informed. The staff of 27 first year journalism students has an especially challenging job since this is one of the “firsts” for WHS. They realize that they are setting a precedent in newspaper style and format which will be used by other students in years to follow and they wish to set a proud precedent. Following the code set by the American Society’of Newspaper Editors, the staff is guided by the Canons of Journalism which state that responsibility, freedom of the press, independence, sincerity, impartiality, fair play and decency shall be the policy of the Smoke Signals. The Smoke Signals is self supporting. Nine issues were planned for the school year 1968-69, one each month. Copies are sold during homeroom for 10 cents ‘ each the day of publication. Extra copies are taken to the drug stores in Milford, North Webster and Syracuse to be sold to the public.

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Think Sessions Are A Big Part Os Wawasee High Journalism Classes

Think sessions are a big part of the journalism classes especi? ally when the paper is due out and questions like “Is this one good?” “Is this one dead?” “Will the kids buy it?” are being asked by the ones who have just put the paper together. Recently one such session sounded like this: Mrs. Smith — Do you think our paper is really getting the job done? Deb. Cawbe — What is it supposed to do - exactly? » Denny Carlton — Well, it keeps the adults and the kids informed. Betsy Buis — Is that all it is suonosed to do - just inform? Deb. C. — No, it should entertain too. Dave Rider — Anything to sell copies’

Pat Peters — Hey, that’s greedy! Dave R. — No, really, you have to make it informative and interesting enough so the kids will buy it or we’re out of business. Alesia Watson — I think the school paper is more of a tool for the journalism classes than for the kids to read - something for experience. Mrs. Smith — Alesia! That’s treason! Dave R. — When I was a freshman we wrote just funny stuff and mimeographed it and the kids bought it and loved it. Pat P. — That’s what most kids look for first in the paperthe funny stuff! I’ll bet the Teepee Tatler is the first thing most kids look for. Dave R. — The school’s too

big to have much of that though. We have to use our paper for the news and all the stuff that’s happening. Ann R. — I’ve seen some school papers that use lots of funny things for fillers, even gossipy. Dave R. —r Funny stuff should not be gossipy though, it’s funnier if you use satire or exaggeration, a take off on something serious. Denny C. — But satire can be overdone, too. Ann R. — Did anyone see the Ten Commandments we used in this issue? Deb. C. — Some kids will like it but I thought it was too elementary. Pat P. —- Some will, some will not, everyone has different tastes.

Betsy B. — It’s hard to write things that are funny because you might think they are funny and the reader has different taste. Pat P. — Or is in a different mood when he reads it. Dave R. — You have to write for the 10 per cent who are in certain areas, if you don’t, you lose the 10 per cent, but still you have to write for everyone. Pat P. — Maybe what we need are more columns - kids like columns. Dave R. — “Yellow journalism” gets attention, sells copy too! Let’s be cynical, corruptive and satirical like Pulitzer and Hearst! They sold papers! Betsy B. — What is “yellow journalism”? Old newspapers? Mrs. Smith — Ok, Ok, end of discussion, lunch time!