Meet Your (Clark) Editors!

Hey everyone,
I'm Laura- one of the new editors for the Clark convention. I'm a senior at Kickapoo in the Springfield Delegation. I've been in print press for the past three years (this will be my fourth) and I'm really excited about the new developments we have planned for the program this year- it's going to be great!

Yo yo yiggidy yo,
My name is Trevor and I am an editor for the Clark convention this year. I'm a member of the Springfield Delegation and a senior at Kickapoo as well. I have been on my school newspaper and yearbook for two years and a memeber of Print Press for the last two years. This will be my third and sadly last year in this great program. I love to write and read. Therefore I believe that I'll be a vaulable asset to the Print Press this year. I am open to the ideas of others and I will be available at all hours to help with stories and anything else that my fellow journalists may need-can't wait to see you there!

If Available, Please Bring:
-A Flash Drive
-Digital Camera
-Laptop
-And you'll probably want a notebook and several pens/pencils

Some changes we're making this year:
-Instead of the magazine and newspaper, this year we're trying out a blog (which will be posted here) and a printed newspaper
-a town hall forum for the governer debates (this is going to be awesome!!!)
-Six papers
- Every Student will have a partner and each duo will be assigned to cover a story over either legislative, executive, judicial, lobbyist, or video news
-We will also feature word puzzles in the paper

If you have any questions, comments, concerns please feel free to email us at summerchic@sbcglobal.net (Laura) or Blackstar_flame@yahoo.com (Trevor)
Also, if you're delegation stories are finished please send those in as well.

Meet Your Editors!

Alex:
Hey guys! My name is Alex and I am a senior at Lindbergh High School. This is my second year in Youth In Government and I am SO excited to be your editor. I was recently accepted into the Mizzou School of Journalism, so I feel that I am totally prepared. I plan on majoring in Convergence Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast with a minor in Political Science. We have some exciting new changes at YIG including the elimination of the magazine, so get ready to have a great time!


Krystol:
'Sup, folks! My name is Krystol and I am also a senior at Lindbergh High! This is my third and unfortunately my final year participating in Youth In Government. It will be sad to go, but with Alex and I as your editors, this year is going to be great! I have been interested in Journalism since my freshman year. I was the photo editor my very first year in YIG, and last year two of the four stories Alex and I wrote were front cover stories. I'm going to Meremec for two years and then transfering to Webster University to major in photography. I'm excited to make this year fun and a true learning experience for all.

Exciting New Changes!

YIG Print Press will be a bit different this year. As the editors, we are really emphasizing program-wide participation. We want everyone to have at least one story published, hopefully more!

• No more magazine-Printed Paper and Online Paper (which will be here!!)
• New format!! Microsoft Word-NO IN DESIGN!
• You will be assigned to either online or printed paper. You will switch each issue.
• You will also be assigned to a specific branch (ex. legislative, executive, fun stories). This will also switch every issue.
• Bring laptops if you can!
• Everyone needs to have a flashdrive.
• The editors are facilitating the debate this year, so we will be refining your questions on the first day.

Things To Do Before The Convention

1. Write a story and send it to one of your editors. You can email Alex at sunkissedsweetie02@yahoo.com or Krystol at imkrystol@hotmail.com. This will help us gage how you write and help us assign stories. Some ideas are: How your school is preparing for the convention, cover a bill someone in your delegation is writing, or if someone from your delegation is running for an office, get their position on the issues.
2. Write 5-10 question for the candidates. The editors are facilitating the debate this year and will be asking your questions. Make them serious and issue focused. (No boxer or briefs questions!)
3. Think about story ideas.

Writing A Good Story

Writing a newspaper article is different than writing a five paragraph paper for English. Readers of a newspaper want to get the most important facts first. They may not even continue reading past the third paragraph or so. That is why writers must give the 5 w's (who, what, where, when, etc...) in the first paragraph or two.
Also keep in mind that if someone opens up their page and sees a lengthy paragraph, they are not likely to read the article. Instead of long paragraphs, include many short and to the point paragraphs. Start a new paragraph each time a new quote is added or new information is added

Tips:
· Never use “I think” or “I believe” or “My Opinion is” unless you’re writing an editorial, which you need specific permission for.
· Make your stories interesting
· Don’t ask closed question: make them talk (Ex. What's your opinion on...)
· Plan question and write them down BEFORE the interview (10-15), run them by an editor.
· Come down to the convention with a few ideas
· Bring a notebook, recorder, or laptop with you WHEREVER you go.