HHS newspaper hits the presses

By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Gathering news, writing stories, taking pictures - those are all parts of a newspaper reporter’s day.
Add to those things work such as algebra, biology and worrying about the upcoming homecoming dance, and you have a day in the life of a high school newspaper reporter.
Hartselle High School recently restarted its Crimson Star newspaper. It’s led by faculty sponsor Jerome Ward and is entirely student-produced.
Ward has incorporated the newspaper into his existing publications class. That class produces the school’s literary magazine, making the addition of a newspaper a natural fit.
Still, Editor-in-Chief Laura Teichmiller said learning the technical aspects of producing a newspaper has been the biggest challenge.
The class works together to produce stories and photos, brainstorming on ideas for the next issue. The biggest challenge is making the newspaper relevant to its core audience - their peers.
Stories in the most recent issue of the newspaper included a “he said, she said” column on dating and another on how teens are coping with rising gas prices.
Seth Turner, who wrote the he said, she said column, said the class has been a good experience for him.
The newspaper is produced at the school with the Hartselle Enquirer providing printing at no cost. This week, the Crimson Star also learned it received a grant through the Alabama Press Association’s Journalism Foundation. The Enquirer and Ward teamed up to apply for the grant. Ward said the money will go to purchasing newspaper racks for the school, as well as a new computer.