One Final Editorial

By Cori D

Four years ago, when I was a Freshman, I recall sitting down at one of these very computer monitors, ready for my desktop publishing class. The class was new, and the main idea was to start an online school newspaper. I, among numerous others, contributed to the inception of this newspaper. We thought of names, voted on an official title, and created a web address to host the new online school newspaper: Eye Online.

After a year of reporting on anything from school theatre productions and the lack of recycling bins for plastic bottles and cans in the school- a hot topic four years ago, if my memory serves me correctly- I was promoted to co-editor of this newspaper. Since then, I have maintained my position as co-editor, and it has been a learning experience.

I have seen articles on a number of different subjects, and have learned to adapt to students’ writing styles. It certainly has proved to be an ambitious endeavor, yet I am grateful for this experience. Since it is my last day in this classroom, I hope to leave behind a few words of advice for this online newspaper.

First of all, I encourage my younger peers to continue with this course. There are so many advantages to working with this newspaper, seeing that you can expand writing skills outside of the English classes offered in this place of education. It does not matter if you think that you have nothing to write about or if you have no desire to do so. Write about something. Anything.

Second, sports are not the only thing to report on when it comes to school functions. I cannot tell you how many times that I have edited an article that is about, or in relation to sports. With this in mind, I then encourage students to write about other events, such as art club or even updates on the progress of the student body president and vice president. Write about the weather. Write about your new pair of Nike Dunks. Write about all of the cats your Aunt Barb owns. Write about something that does not always involve sports. Please and thank you.

Finally, be patient with your editors and other Eye Online officials. We are busy creators, and have many corrections to fix and articles to read. Not everything can be solved in a 45 minute class period. Please, keep this in mind when new editors and officials are promoted to these positions.  

Four years. Three web addresses. Two different instructors. One amazing experience. These words not only sum up my time with Sleepy Eye Online, but show that something can be created from a simple idea. I would like to thank the co-editors I have had over the years, and the teachers that have overseen this course. It has been a rewarding experience, and I hope that others will come to appreciate this as well. Thanks for the memories! I wish you all a wonderful summer, and good luck next year!