2011 Summer
Special Student Edition
Pennsylvania School
Press Association
Tales of a
Dwindling Staff
Story by: Rae Holly
Features Editor, The Trumpet
Parkland High School
Sometimes, you have to play the
hand you’re dealt. I am not much of a math
brain—any teacher I have previously had for
high school mathematics will be the first to
.
tell you that. For some reason unbeknownst
to me, my analytical side just cannot seem to
function long enough to grasp the concepts. I
was always good at ratios, though.
I am currently a junior and the features
editor on our high school’s newspaper staff, the
Parkland High School Trumpet. Currently, I
am one of 15 on staff for the 2010-2011 school
year. Of those 15, 3 of us are juniors. That is
a 1:5 ratio. Next year, when we bid adieu to
three-fifths of our entire staff, unless a miracle
occurs, about seven of us are left.
Parkland High School, located in Allentown,
is the second largest high school in the Lehigh
Valley, with Allentown ranking as the third-
largest city in the state, behind Philadelphia
and Pittsburgh. Parkland currently comprises
3,176 students from grades 9 through 12. Once
you begin to play a numbers game like that,
suddenly it all becomes ratios. Currently, we
are at a 15 to 3,176 ratio, with a few of us left
to accurately represent the entire voice of a
student body. Next year, it will only get harder.
Please, do not get me wrong. The Trumpet’s
staff was not always this tiny—no sir, at one
point we were as strong in numbers as we were
in diversified opinions. The paper was one of
the most prestigious institutions, even up until
my freshman year. It’s no secret the school
feels this way too—the high school website
still has the newspaper’s photo from the staff
of three years ago.
This year, our editors were faced with a
nearly impossible task: take what we have in
quality and make it manageable. Condensing
the number of pages, which consequently
reduced the number of articles being printed, is
like a blow to the heart. But hard decisions had
to be made.
I share my anecdote as a representative for
a problem that many schools across the state
share with mine: a dwindling newspaper staff.
Some may say it is a sign of the times,
with the switch from hard copies to online
media, but interest in student run publications
now more than ever are taking a puzzling
dip. What once was a blossoming institution
is almost forgotten in the background of other
opportunities and activities—before you know
it, you are left with a 7 to 3,200 ratio and a
staff who are desperately trying to captivate
and educate their peers.
As an editor on a dwindling staff, I would
like to extend the utmost urgency on this
Leading U.S. in
Digital Media
to the..
a g
.
a nza
trav ss.org
e
Welcom
ascho olpre
www.p
message: DO NOT GIVE UP. (Yes, it was
Advisers...
Caps Lock worthy.) For many teachers and
advisers, when student enrollment is low, they
are faced with the decision to drop the class,
ultimately dropping the paper. In the economic
times we’re facing, with budget cuts left and
right, in understaffed papers there may be a
tad more pressure for the funding to be cut and While we
redistributed elsewhere.
I speak as a plea to help keep the voices invite you to
of youth in schools. The paper is a medium
written by students, for students—in many read this issue, .
schools, the last opportunity of its kind. Papers
need to be embraced by faculty, made a part we strongly
suggest that
of daily curriculum. Ceasing to print will be
silencing the voices of an entire generation of
you hand it
writers and readers. There is no way around
that.
over to your
As I look ahead to my senior year, I would
most definitely say I am up for the challenge.
chief editor.
Leading a staff of 7 is just as pivotal as leading
a staff of 65. We—the few, the proud, the
This edition
upperclassmen—are here to educate the next
generation of reporters and editors to continue
is for the
the tradition for years to come. In small staffs,
the editors may need to wear a few different
hats to keep the cycle running smoothly—a students, by the
students!
daunting yet necessary task for those willing to
take on responsibility.
Maybe I know a little bit more about math
than I thought after all; if schools subtract the
newspaper, there is simply no solution.
Story by: Luke Rafferty
Production Editor, The
Spoke
PSPA Gives Voice to Students Conestoga High School
Among the PSPA offerings is the annual students thinking outside
student journalism conference. Hundreds of the box and looking to other
high school students from across the state publications for ideas.
come to the conference, including those The people you’ll meet at these conferences
who write for their newspaper, work for the are quite remarkable. From students with
yearbook or perform in TV broadcasting. fascinating stories to professional journalists
Regardless of their background, they all come with years of experience, everyone at the
together, share ideas and celebrate student conference shares the same passion for
journalism. journalism. The professionals are some of the
My experiences at the conferences have kindest people you’ll meet, and love to talk
only been positive. Sure, when I attended my about their work experience and answer any
first one, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. questions you might have. Getting to know
After a few minutes of shyness, I realized that them is truly inspiring, as you look forward to
the conference was simply students coming a career in journalism. The conference also has
together to sharing their papers and ideas, and a keynote speaker who addresses on the group
later meeting with professionals and other on an important journalism topic. This past
student journalists. The exchange of ideas at year’s keynote speaker was Frank LoMonte,
the conference is really remarkable, and it from the Student Press Law Center, who spoke
infuses students with new ideas to take back to about the importance of student press rights.
their publications. The PSPA conference is a rare opportunity
The main attraction of the convention is for students to get out, meet fellow student
the seminars series. Dozens of seminars are journalists, and pick up some new ideas to
presented by qualified professionals—and improve their newspapers, yearbooks and TV
occasionally students—who demonstrate new programs.
technologies and skills that students can take
back and use to improve their publications
and productions. This is an exciting way to get
 Giving a Voice to Our Rights
Story by: Laura Weiss
News Editor, The Spoke
Conestoga High School
As the school year comes
to a close, publications are
shifting with graduations and the
conclusion of the year. For me, this means
new staff members and editors, and sadly
accepting that some of my editors--my friends
and role models for the past three years--are
graduating. Out of all that they have taught me,
the most important things that they helped me
realize are my rights as a student journalist.
Thanks to my editors, I learned about
ethics, legality and press rights in journalism.
Now, I will never forget these rights, and
more importantly, I will advocate for them as
a student journalist. My fellow PSPA Board
Member and co-editor-in-chief of The Spoke,
Meghan Morris, became a student partner for
the national press rights group 45words last
year. Because Meghan was vocal about the
. .
Why We Fight
Story by: Meghan Morris
Co-editor-in-chief, The
Spoke
Conestoga High School
I introduced myself to my
AP Literature teacher on the
second day of school as a way to warn her: “Hi,
I’m Meghan Morris from third period, and I’m
the co-editor-in-chief of The Spoke.” I had to
tell her up front what topped my priority list
this year, and it did not include “Hamlet” or
“Jane Eyre.”
But the instant I mentioned The Spoke,
something incredible happened. My seventy-
something teacher, normally prone to waxing
poetic about the smell of classic literature,
began to tear up during my brief introduction.
As she shook my hand, and, after a few
minutes, finally let it go, she started to talk
about her fascination with what she called “the
one real thing left at Conestoga High School.”
She described how, after thirty years, she
still loved to watch Distribution Days, when
our publication is distributed in the hallway.
Students literally race each other to the stacks
of papers at the end of the halls, and almost
everyone in free period has a copy open.
But what sets The Spoke apart from, say,
the yearly yearbook distribution? And what
made it so important that my former editors
fought to save it from censorship a year and a
half ago?
My Lit teacher called it “Spoke magic:” A
magic that unites the school, a place where
state championship soccer fan buses are
canceled due to lack of interest and the Student
Council president nearly begs students to go to
the Homecoming pep rally.
A quick glance around the cafeteria, where
students sit much like the seating chart
in “Mean Girls” shows the Spoke magic of
Distribution Day. Though students may make
fun of our cover art, or declare death to our
photographer for an emotional back photo of a
boys’ soccer loss, nearly every kid–jock, geek,
cheerleader, band kid, insert-high school-
stereotype-here, is looking at the same 24
pages as the 2,000 others in the school.
That means we have a power, and thus
organization, its work and the importance
of an uncorrupted voice in our community, I
came to understand why she is so passionate
about fighting censorship. Now, I am honored
to be a 45words Student Partner, and this only
encourages my belief in vocalizing press rights.
No matter what the situation at hand,
we should always protect our future staff
and ourselves by talking about press rights,
particularly as older editors graduate and staffs
transition for next year. By continuing to talk
about your rights, you will remember to keep
their importance at the forefront.
Even if censorship is not a problem for
your school at the moment, your rights are
just as necessary to learn and talk about. In a
few years, current freshmen will need to be
aware of their rights so that they can protect
the integrity of your publication. Using time
together to speak about press rights is an
investment in your publication’s future. By
educating your staff and fellow editors on the
a responsibility, to reach kids in a way that
parents and educators cannot. When a Spoke
survey reveals that 22 percent of our students
have been cyberbullied and 64 percent think
Formspring encourages it, though most
teachers have never heard of Formspring, there
is an opportunity to educate. And when there
are a group of students who dumpster dive
for library books, there is an opportunity to
entertain…with consultation from the SPLC
about the legality of dumpster diving, of
course.
But what happens when our, and perhaps
your, unique opportunity is threatened–by
school administrators’ censorship, or even self-
censorship? It’s up to you to fight back.
Take advantage of your resources through
PSPA: reach out to the student and adult
boards. There are people on both boards who
have fought censorship successfully and
can help with your situation. We’re here for
you—for every adviser and student journalist
in Pennsylvania, whether you’ve been fighting
prior restraint for years or are just beginning a
publication—so begin a dialogue to change the
status quo.
Board Enhanced by Student Representation
Story by: Jane Blystone, MJE
President of PSPA
Mercyhurst College
Student journalists, as you
can see from the great articles in
this issue, we have some top of
the line student board members
from across the state at PSPA. With the
exception of this and one more article, this
entire issue is written by students.
We hope you consider running for a student
board position because you get to do some
great things like help run a state convention,
write for our PSPA blog and share your
expertise as a student journalist with other
students across Pennsylvania. The application
for student board is enclosed.
While you are filing out your application for
student board, copy the back of the form and
nominate your adviser for PSPA Journalism
Teacher of the Year. The winning adviser will
represent Pennsylvania as the Journalism
Teacher of the Year for 2011-2012.
First Amendment, you create an atmosphere
for them to advocate for themselves if the
unfortunate situation ever arises.
Working with 45words, I have heard of
cases of censorship that break my heart. Often,
these situations are not preventable, but their
consequences can be fought. So, let your
students, staff or fellow editors know that they
can protect their rights. Remind them to pass
on the word that what they write matters, and
its clarion medium is key. Do not let press
rights get lost in the shuffle of deadlines and
yearly staff changes.
When I see the class full of student
journalists around me, I know that I am lucky
to work on a publication that does not face
censorship. But I feel even luckier that I can
look at my staff and see plenty of students
who know their rights, and who will have the
strength to stand behind them even when I am
gone.
F ast
I need a
unny
Judith Frost Stark, a first grade school
teacher, gave her students the beginning
of cliches and asked them to finish the
thought. Here is a sampling of what
they wrote...
- People who live in glass houses
shouldn’t... undress.
- If you lie down with dogs... you stink
in the morning.
- When the cat’s away... no pooh!
- A penny saved is... not much.
- Opportunity only knocks when... she
can’t reach the doorbell.
You can also nominate your principal for
Administrator of the Year by submitting the
form that will be posted to our PSPA website:
www.pachoolpress.org before the end of April.
As we approach the end of the school year,
we anticipate your great publication entries.
Later this month, you will find updated entry
forms and rubrics for the spring submissions to
the PSPA annual critique. We have seen some
very innovative journalism this year from our
student board members. We know there is a
great deal more out in your schools, so start
preparing your entries now for both overall
critique and individual entries. All-State
winners will be announced at the convention
on November 11, 2011. Let us showcase your
outstanding work.
Speaking of the convention, our theme for
the convention is “Techstravganza” and will
be packed with state-of-the-art sessions, so put
November 11, 2011 on your calendar and plan
to bring your whole staff to this student-driven
convention.

PSPA Conference, a
Gift Worth Giving
Story by: Liz Bravacos
Co-editor-in-chief, The Spoke
Conestoga High School
As a PSPA student board
member, I helped distribute gift cards to
speakers at the annual fall conference in
Harrisburg this past November as tokens of
appreciation. I wore comfortable shoes and
learned the layout of the hotel ahead of time
so that I could easily deliver the envelopes
following each session. It was the kind of work
that I was glad to do but didn’t expect to learn
anything from. Fortunately, I was mistaken.
Each speaker that I visited struck up a
conversation, asking my name, my publication,
my position, my interests, my favorite ice
cream flavor (okay, no one asked me that last
one, but you get the idea). Engaged and eager,
. those adults greeted me warmly and inspired
me thoroughly. With each handshake I became
less and less nervous, learning a new face and
name, gaining a new contact or story. I learned
so much from those brief conversations with
the professionals at the conference that I can
only imagine what their prepared lessons must
have taught my fellow student journalists.
Therein lies the best part of PSPA: the
people. Every adult at the conference was
welcoming and curious, willing to discuss
their careers and share their insights. I may
have been carrying around gift cards, but I’m
certain that the speakers’ kindness was not
solely due to the Thank You presents. PSPA
allows students to create relationships with
professionals in their area of interest. Those
kinds of connections helped me to discover
specific goals for myself as I enter college and
a career in the coming years. Where else can
students get such guidance tailored directly to
their extra-curricular interests?
The adults at PSPA want to be there.
They’re enthusiastic, insightful and excited.
Their attitude is contagious. Last fall when
I was scrambling to work on my paper’s
first issues, starting college applications and
completing schoolwork, I was not thinking
about my potential career in journalism. The
speakers at PSPA’s fall conference switched
my focus and reminded me that journalism
is still very much alive. This community of
educated, interested individuals is one that all
student journalists and their advisers should
join. I know that my time working for this
organization is far from over, even if my job on
conference days was merely handing out gift
cards.
Nominate your adviser for
Adviser of the Year and/or
apply for a student position
on the PSPA Board! See
the enclosed applications.
A True American Invention
I am not a prophet. I cannot comfortably
predict if 2012 will contain the end of the
world, if the sequel of “The Dark Knight” will
be the best movie ever made, or even if the
Philadelphia Eagles will ever win The Super
Bowl (no, yes, and no if I was forced to guess,
though). But what I can say, with absolute
certainty, is that The United States of America
will be remembered.
We will be remembered in classroom
textbooks of the future not because of our
invention of hamburgers (actually invented in
Europe during the 15th century), our national
pastime, baseball (a plagiarized form of
cricket), or even plastic surgery (India beat
us to it) but because of the true American
invention: the 1st Amendment.
Never before had a country been truly
founded for, by, and of the people, while also
granting them the rights to form, speak, and
defend their beliefs. Even today people are
forced to go without these important rights.
Don’t believe me? Go ahead and try running
down the streets of North Korea yelling
obscenities about Kim Jong Il. You’ll be
thrown in jail faster than Windows can get a
virus.
It is almost silly to call these American
guarantees rights, because in reality, they are
duties. It’s no secret that The United States was
formed on a system of checks and balances.
Our government is split into three different
branches, the judicial being split again by state
Reflections from a YB Editor-in-Chief,
Secrets to Success
Story by: Sarah Rozewicz
Editor-in-chief, Campus YB
Kiski Area High School
It seems it was only yesterday
that I first applied for the Kiski
Area Campus yearbook reporting staff as
a sophomore searching for my niche. Now
over two years later, I hold the position of
the 2010-2011 Editor-in-chief. When asked
to take the position, I knew that serving as
Editor-in-chief would be time-consuming, and
very demanding. However, without another
moment of consideration, I gratefully accepted,
and took on the challenge of creating another
award-winning yearbook.
Merely days after our 2009-2010 book was
finished, last year’s editors-in-chief and staff
began developing a theme for this year. My
staff, adviser, and I also got together over the
summer at a conference held here at our school.
We shared ideas, sketched spreads by hand,
and worked with Taylor/Balfour Publishing
in creating a cover design. The books that we
produce would never be possible without this
head start.
One of the major contributors to a
successful yearbook directly involves the time
and effort put into the task. Surely, the book
shaped over the span of a year contains much
more thought and creativity than one fashioned
Story by: Joey Brown
Writer, Paw Print
Big Spring High School
and federal government, and
the legislative branch broken up
into two houses and by state and
federal government.
The founding fathers saw
even this as too much power, and gave
the citizens the ultimate trump card: press
freedom. Press freedom is more than just
supposedly witty political cartoons (seriously,
does anybody truly like those?); it is the
power to keep tabs on the government. If
our government was founded on checks and
balances, this is checkmate.
“By, of, and for the people” means that
the people need to know what is happening.
Freedom of speech is a glorious light used by
journalists to enlighten the world otherwise
hidden in the shadow of ignorance. If it
weren’t for journalism, the entire west
coast would have no clue there was even a
controversial healthcare law being debated for .
months. That’s not to say that the west coast
isn’t clueless now, but who am I to say? I
only know of it from Katy Perry’s catchy tune
“California Gurls.”
When people ask me what I want to do with
my life, and I tell them I want to be a broadcast
journalist, they assume I’m a narcissistic man
who would love to see myself on TV. Little
do they know I have the noblest intentions of
them all: preserving our nation and democracy.
And hey, I do look good on TV.
over the course of a few months. Hence, give
your staff a week or two to wallow in the
success of a completed book, and then start the
brainstorming process for the year to follow.
Additionally, a well-chosen staff composed
of different individuals allows for more diverse
ideas. At Kiski, we do not have the privilege
of a yearbook class and thus we complete
the entire book during study hall time and
hours spent after school. Also, most of the
time, the staff members have to work in the
yearbook room without our adviser in close
proximity. Therefore, when choosing staff
members, we have to always base our choices
on ability, motivation, and commitment. This
has become both a challenge and a blessing,
as it has resulted in an extremely friendly and
close staff. Certainly, I can without a doubt
recognize our efficiency of work as the most
important part of Kiski’s recent yearbook
success.
Even though our adviser spent the majority
of his school days teaching math in class, he
consciously made time to guide us through the
entire process. Without his help and dedication
we would be nowhere near where we are today.
Never deny yourselves the opportunity to
learn and improve your work, and use all of
your tools wisely to create an amazing book
that recognizes your capabilities.

PSPA Takes on Mentees
Story by: Janice Hatfield
PSPA Newspaper
Coordinator
From the Jersey shore to
the Bay Bridge—all across
the country—33 experienced
publication advisers, most of whom
are retired, now mentor new or inexperienced
advisers.
Seventy mentees, who enjoy a two-year
relationship with their mentors, have already
exited the JEA sponsored program, which has
been active for four years.
In Pennsylvania, where the program is
sponsored jointly by PSPA and JEA, two
mentors are working with six advisers.
In the northeast, Kathy Zwiebel, who
recently retired from Pottsville High School, is
working with four mentees: Bridget Freiler at
Pottsville Area High School; Andrea Marterella
at Pine Grove High School; Cathy Podolak
. .
PSPA
P. O. Box 1092
Carlisle, PA 17013
Are you a new adviser of a school publication in the state of Pennsylvania? Or maybe you’re a seasoned adviser that truly wants to bring your students’ work
to the next level. Look here for the answers from Pennsylvania’s ONLY official journalistic association. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SO MANY FREEBIES!
New Newsletter
Notions
PSPA debuted this newsletter for
several reasons. First, we wanted to
provide PA schools with knowledge of
opportunities that they would not have
realized otherwise.
Second, it’s truly our hope that this
quarterly publication might feature
students and advisers who deserve
recognition.
Third, and most importantly, we simply
had to inform and remind schools that
PSPA is the only official journalistic forum
that governs all PA publications. We are
here and so willing to help you!
If you have ideas or suggestions for this
publication, send them to Paul Fantaski at:
pfantaski@wiu.k12.pa.us
at Wyoming Valley West High School; and
Tony Reid at The Hill School in Pottstown.
Mrs. Zweibel has won numerous awards in
the field of journalism education, including
Pennsylvania Journalism Teacher of the Year
and DJNF National High School Journalism
Teacher of the Year. In the southwestern part
of the state near Pittsburgh, Janice Hatfield,
who advised both the award-winning literary
magazine and the newspaper at West Greene
High School and is newspaper coordinator for
PSPA, now mentors Naomi Beres at Thomas
Jefferson High School in Jefferson Hills and
Dawn Begor at Mt. Lebanon High School.
Speaking of her experience as a mentee,
Mrs. Beres says, “I feel that the expertise that
Janice Hatfield brings to the table as my mentor
is so worth the small contribution of time that
is required of me. I have learned much more
about the craft of teaching journalism during
our few months together . . .”
If you are interested in working with a
mentor, please contact Janice at hatfieldj@
windstream.net or Kathy at pubadviser@
comcast.net.
re atest
e g
“Th st of
o r m o
rf
dange t that our
Decide on next year’s theme as early
o
us is n high and
as possible. On distribution day, while
too
aim is it, but that
ss
we mi low and we
o
it is to ch it.”
rea elo
elan g Make sure your school secretaries
Mich
Students...
Get Your Story
Published/Known
PSPA wants your story! How has
newspaper, lit mag, broadcasting, or
yearbook affected your life? Do you wish to
send out props and thanks to your adviser?
Did you overcome incredible obstacles to
get your issue out? Do you have strong
views about censorship or other issues?
Here’s your chance. Send your stories to
PSPA and we will post them on our website
for the whole state to read. Some might
even make it to this newsletter. Email all
submissions to:
pfantaski@wiu.k12.pa.us
Put “PSPA Student Story” in the subject
field. We can’t wait to receive your opinions
and stories.
QTips
Y E A R B O O K
uick Enjoy these little
tidbits of wisdom...
Sarah Rozewicz
Editor-in-Chief, Campus
Kiski Area HS
everyone receives books, have polls and
questions ready to get a head start on the
following year for students sitting in HRs
or classes.
Attend summer workshops to bond as
a staff and to work out details that will
enhance your theme.
know all the details about your
distribution. They can answer
many questions before they become
messages in your voice mailbox.