Herald's 2011-12 'Journalism Next' launched

The Herald launched our 'Journalism Next' project for 2011-12 today. For several years, we have published weekly articles written by Manatee County high school students. Most of the student writers are working on their school newspaper and/or taking a journalism class at school.

The survival of both of those endeavors is vital, we believe, to keep journalism alive. And from the representation in our schools this year, we believe the effort is alive and thriving.

East Manatee Editor Jim Jones and I met with several high school journalism teachers last week to prepare for Journalism Next. They talked about the budget cuts they had endured, the tough year ahead, and of their diligence to their students. And then we were told this testimonial: Nelson Lopez, Palmetto High's teacher, said one of the key reasons his journalism class had survived the cuts was "Journalism Next." Supervisors and budget-makers could see the results.

And there are some mighty promising high school journalists in our community. Today's lead-off writer is a shining example.

Aiste Zalepuga, a senior at Saint Stephens Episcopal School, contacted me a few weeks ago for a "favor." She was chosen to represent all of Florida this summer at the Al Neuharth Free Spirit Journalism Conference. Upon her return, she was asked to try getting her essay about the conference published locally.

Aiste's essay is phenomenal, and fits right in with Journalism Next. (Saint Stephens has always been a great contributor, as well.) She came to the Herald last week, and her unbridled joy at being in our newsroom for the first time was contagious. Wow. (Oh, she also is a pianist, a swimmer, president of the National Honor Society and wants to teach yoga.)

Aiste is a first-born American; her parents are Lithuanian. Her passion for journalism stems from their passion for freedom. Will she pursue this as her career? We hope 'Journalism Next' has helped hook her for a while.

Macohi students grill Herald journalists

Throughout the year, the Bradenton Herald's newsroom has worked with the Manatee High students who produce The Macohi and their adviser, Erica Weiffenbach. Erica was awarded the Student/Newspaper Partnership Grant from the Newspaper Association of America Foundation, as mentioned earlier in this blog, and one stipulation was our dedicated support for her high school newspaper staff.

Editors, reporters and photographers visited her class each month, and we helped critique their stories. They recently had their last assignment: Pick a Herald staffer, shadow them, interview them and write up a report.

Kara Inglis, a junior and The Macohi's managing editor, tagged me. Her goal: to become an editor. Somehow, I didn't manage to talk her out of it. In fact, it proved quite a thrill to talk with a young person determined to make journalism her career. As she grilled me that afternoon, I recalled my first tour of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, the smell of ink, the tough-looking reporters -- and not realizing that I'd just gotten hooked.

Kara sent me a copy of her report -- she got an A! -- and I felt a flash of pride for our career choice. (OK, and I admit -- I also felt a bit old after digesting Kara's lede:)

Joan Krauter is the Executive Editor of The Bradenton Herald. She has been passionate about journalism since before college and to this day, many years into her career, she is as passionate as she was when she started.

In her email, Kara announced the next step in her promising career: She's been name Editor-in-Chief for next year's Macohi:

"I thought you might like to know that I am officially the new EIC of the Macohi! I am very excited to work with my existing staff members as well as meet Ms. Weiffenbach's incoming Journalism 1 kids to make the paper even better and more school involved than it is now."

Grant or no grant, my staff is looking forward to working with more journalism students next year.

Applauding newsroom's best work each week

We've started a weekly inhouse recognition of the Bradenton Herald's best work, focusing particularly on these topics:

Story. Photo. Video. Blog entry. Layout. Lede. Breaking news posting. Headline.

I share our list every Thursday with the Herald's publisher and directors in our weekly operating committee meeting. And I promise you -- it's quite an adrenaline rush to take pride in some of the hard work being done by our journalists.

What have we enjoyed or felt brought our readers quality journalism? Here's a glimpse at a few from the week of March 28-April 3:

BEST STORIES
The team’s reporting on the slaying of Manatee School for the Arts Teacher Kenneth Ellis. Metro Editor Marc Masferrer, reporters Paradise Afshar and Angie Taylor and photographer Grant Jefferies worked the story quickly and relentlessly throughout the day. Angie’s story was written with heart, but had the crucial crime details that were known in the early moments of an unfolding mystery.
Her lede:
Heads were bowed. The American flag flew at half-staff. And tears were shed among teachers, students and administrators gathered Wednesday....

Reporter Toni Whitt on Tallevast (Sunday, April 3). The thorough report reminded us again that more than anything, Tallevast is a human story.

BEST COLUMN:
Alan Dell, April 2, “NCAA’s old Sanity Code needs update”. Well-researched column about the hypocrisy of the NCAA.

BEST BLOG POST:
John Lembo, April 1, innovative poll on his sports blog. Look to the right side of the blog. Now vote!

BEST BREAKING NEWS:
When the skies opened up last Thursday, the editors and photographers jumped into action. Stories and photographs posted throughout the afternoon did very well, contributing to our best single day for page views.

BEST LAYOUT:
Universal Desk editor Mary K Means won kudos this week for her Sunday Local front. It's a clean, appealing page that welcomes the reader to look around and stay for a while.

BEST PHOTO:
Tiffany Tompkins-Condie, Palmetto long jumper flying through the air.
Great photo of high school athlete at height of her ability.
BEST PHOTO GALLERIES:
Grant and Tiffany at Seafood Fest: Our viewers online LOVED these photos! Literally thousands of views were logged throughout the week.

BEST VIDEO
This week was all about sound:
Paul Videla’s "Soothing Scene from De Soto National Memorial,"
and
"Presbyterian Church Bell"

BEST HEADLINES
Who said reporters can’t write headlines!?!
Sara Kennedy: “Bill aiding port sails through subcommittee.”
Toni Whitt: “Beach renourishment: It’s more than just sand”

A round of applause, please!
-- Joan