She clicks away on her laptop every day while the young ones around her follow her lead, tickling and tackling on their own keyboards about the classroom.
Research, quality, networking.
But on Friday, Feb. 14, Brandy Panagos, sponsor of the school’s literary magazine, “The Eclectic,” and online newspaper, “Patriot Pages,” was not typing away on her laptop and neither were some of her students. They were celebrating the success that came from all the keyboard clattering over the past year.
Panagos chaperoned a handful of students that represented “The Eclectic,” “Patriot Pages,” and the school’s yearbook, “The Patriot,” to the University of Alabama (UA) in Tuscaloosa to participate in the Alabama Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) convention.
Along with participating in on-sight competitions such as editorial cartooning, news writing, feature writing, and sports writing, the students also attended several workshops that helped expose them to different sides of journalism like broadcast, twitter, and photography.
Though these events kept the students busy (alongside the Ferguson Center’s tempting food selections), the day did not get as electrifying as it did when 4 p.m. rolled around.
It was time for the awards ceremony.
All three of the publications were previously submitted to ASPA to compete against other high school publications in the state. This meant that individual works by students as well as design, content, and interactive elements of the publications as a whole qualified for different state awards.
The staff members and Panagos waited anxiously for results and were brought to the point of hollering and jumping when “The Eclectic” and “Patriot Pages” won All-Alabama, or best-in-state.
In addition to this outstanding success, several students’ work from both the literary magazine and the online newspaper placed individually.
One student in particular, Nkechi Norom, snatched up a number of awards for her sports writing, “Patriot Pages” twitter management, and on-spot coverage of sports games.
In the past year, Norom has watched “Patriot Pages” skyrocket in success and popularity.
“I think we are more interactive with our audience with the growing use of social media. ‘Patriot Pages’ sheds light on almost every aspect, allowing people in the Bob Jones community to be heard and recognized.”
Panagos also attests to social media’s impact on the success of the publication.
“One of its strengths is its use of multimedia and interactivity. The student editors have done a fabulous job in setting a high standard and pushing themselves to take the publication to the next level. I can’t stress how important their use of social media has been.”
Regarding “The Eclectic,” which is regarded as “a beast” by Panagos, students won awards for photography, art, and writing. Daniel Lang placed for his academic essay, while Jon Harper placed for his creative nonfiction piece.
According to Panagos, this once 30-page magazine has evolved into a 300-page book, with a good pool of diversity when it comes to both the writing and the design.
“[Its] strength lies in its content.”
Madelyn Wong, layout editor for last year’s and this year’s literary magazine, explains that they definitely shook up the layout last year, having been inspired by professional literary magazines.
As for future plans for the upcoming issues of the two publications, Panagos states that the alterations will depend on next year’s staff. “I’m losing an all-star team of seniors, and we’ll have to see who will fill their shoes. Right now, we’re just trying to make the most of this year, and I’m excited to see how this year’s literary magazine will turn out.”
Wong is also especially excited for this year’s issue. “I’m so excited—as in stupid-grin-bitten-lip-bouncing-up-and-down excited. Just flipping through general submissions this year, the talent is obvious—intense even. I just can’t wait to see the end product!”
It was a job well done for the staff and contributors of both publications and a day well spent.
Even Bob Jones principal Robby Parker agreed when he tweeted out that this success was the “BEST NEWS OF THE DAY!”
And now the staffs return to see what improvements they can make for next year. Just like the industry, it’s always evolving.
She clicks away on her laptop every day while the young ones around her follow her lead, tickling and tackling on their own keyboards about the classroom.
Research, quality, networking.
