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Editing, Leadership & Team Building
Print Editor-in-Chief Responsibilities
As Print Editor-in-Chief, I oversee a wide range of responsibilities, from planning production cycles and approving story pitches to meeting regularly with staffers throughout the print process. I also serve as the primary liaison between the administration and printers, welcoming administrative input and ensuring timely deliveries of our issues. Students often approach me with questions—whether seeking feedback on a story pitch or guidance on finding interviewees—and I am always eager to support them. In this role, I also direct each issue's focus by designing the front cover, refining story plans to shape their angles, and editing layouts. I frequently collaborate with other editors to bridge different mediums, such as integrating online stories into print or promoting print issues on social media. My leadership revolves around fostering collaboration, creativity, and a cohesive vision for Imua.
Summer Editorial Meetings & Reflections
Over the summer, the editors and advisers hold several meetings to discuss the publication’s direction and set goals for the upcoming school year. As Print EIC, I often lead these discussions, emphasizing goal-setting and developing resources to enhance students’ journalistic skills. During these sessions, we brainstorm ideas to increase readership through interactive student activities and plan "Talk Stories" with faculty to help staff generate story ideas. We also outline significant topics to cover in the upcoming Imua issues and reflect on past successes and areas for improvement.
Organization
In previous years, we relied on SNO Flow to organize and assign story ideas, but due to challenges with the platform and a smaller staff this year, the editors and I transitioned to managing everything in Google Sheets. This platform proved far more accessible and user-friendly for our team. By utilizing the Smart Chips feature, we can assign stories, link documents, and track print production progress throughout the cycle. I regularly update the spreadsheet after each deadline, meticulously reviewing every story to ensure it meets our standards and stays on track for publication.
Presentations
To help staff develop skills in writing, interviewing, design, and photography, the editors regularly create and share instructional presentations. As a former Photo Editor, I’ve led workshops on topics such as camera usage and photo editing in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. While improving photography skills, I also sought to enhance efficiency in other areas, like interviewing. Writers previously used the Voice Memo app on their iPads to record interviews, a method that was often tedious to review. To streamline the process, I researched and introduced Otter AI, a platform that transcribes interviews in real time. I presented Otter AI to the staff, demonstrating how to use it effectively and organize interview transcripts for easier reporting.
Design Guidelines/Other Resources
To ensure consistency across all issues, we use a Design Guidelines checklist that each staffer reviews before I submit the files to the printers. This file outlines the use of Stylesheets and provides detailed guidelines for formatting headlines, bylines, text, and images to ensure a cohesive and professional design. Recognizing the importance of constantly refining our publication's aesthetic, I set a goal over the summer to enhance our design by incorporating advanced tools such as Text Wrap, custom illustrations, and diverse fonts to elevate the overall layout. To support this, I created a step-by-step instruction guide for staffers to consult as they plan and execute their designs. Additionally, I’ve dedicated workshops to showcasing article layouts that excel in implementing the techniques outlined in the guide. This approach not only inspires staffers but also acknowledges and encourages our talented designers to continue producing high-quality work.
Pitch Meetings
Along with the Online EIC, I lead pitch meetings at the start of each production cycle. These meetings begin with students sharing story ideas, often developed through our “Talk Stories” with faculty or their own brainstorming. We record all ideas on a large whiteboard and encourage staffers to choose topics that align with one of our eight beats, ensuring balanced coverage in each issue. During the pitch meetings, we guide students in refining their ideas by asking clarifying questions. Afterward, we determine which stories will go to print or online, announcing assignments the following class day. Once assignments are made, staffers complete Story Plan worksheets and Interview Prep, which I review and provide feedback on to help them develop strong, focused stories.
Constant Improvement
Every year, Imua editors have the privilege of attending the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, an event we eagerly anticipate for its informational sessions and magazine critiques. During these sessions, I take detailed notes and brainstorm ways to incorporate what I learn into my own writing. For instance, the “Intro to Narrative Nonfiction” session significantly improved my feature writing by providing interview tips and ways to incorporate vivid imagery in my work. Committed to constant improvement, I take detailed notes during the critique and present the feedback to the class. Many of the suggestions directly influence our publication’s evolution. For instance, we standardized headlines for consistency, enhanced our focus on design, and adopted the recommendation to showcase a photograph relating to the main story as the cover.
Mentorship
To better prepare younger students for Imua Newsroom, the Intro to Newsroom course was established. I had the privilege of being invited by the course adviser to speak about my journey in journalism and why I joined Imua. During the session, students asked thoughtful questions, ranging from how we brainstorm ideas for upcoming issues to how I manage my responsibilities as Editor-in-Chief. This experience was especially meaningful to me, as it allowed me to connect with aspiring journalists, share my passion for storytelling, and hopefully inspire them to pursue their own paths in journalism.
Comments
Through editing pieces, I consistently seek ways to enhance their quality, whether by posing thoughtful questions to encourage students to explore different angles or by recommending additional resources, such as the Archives, for deeper research. Beyond editing, I strive to be a supportive confidant for my staffers, fostering an environment where they feel comfortable asking for help and confident in their growth as writers.
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