GRAVETTE — This week, October 3 - 9, National Newspaper Week is being observed throughout America, not only by daily and weekly publications but also by students who add their efforts to the dissemination of news.

The six members of the Gravette High School newspaper, “The GHS Times”, are busy this week getting ready for the second edition of the high school monthly paper which will be dated October, 2010.

Their first effort this year, published for the month of September, included eight tabloid-size pages filled with homecoming pictures, student bios, introduction of new teachers and other interesting information about school activities and personalities. And, yes, the publication also featured advertisements, which help pay for the cost of the publication.

Jennifer Ford, high school journalism teacher, said this year’s staff is comprised of six students, none of whom have experience in designing and filling the publication with information that is interesting and relevant for students.

But that is no handicap, she said. The students have adjusted quickly to using computers to lay-out the pages, place pictures and text anddo all the little tweaks required to make the publication as error-free as possible.

Ford has been involved with the publication since she restarted the paper in 1999. Each year has been a challenge for students to publish the best possible newspaper. “We’ve always utilized computers,” she said, which is a far cry from the old cut-and-paste process used in earlier years.

This year’s students are all enrolled in Journalism II class and have had a year of conducting interviews, writing stories andgetting a groundwork in the requirements for novice journalists. This year these six have advanced to the production of the paper.

They will be expanding their talents as the year progresses, aided by efforts of students in the Journalism I class, as they polish their writing skills.

Assisting Ford in her classroom is Jordan Johnson of Fayetteville, a journalism major at the University of Arkansas. As a student teacher he is also gaining experience in how a high school newspaper functions and how journalism can be effectively approached by students as they enter the field.

Students were asked to write a simple sentence as to why they enrolled in journalism and especially why they are excited to be on a working newspaper staff. Their comments are revealing and encouraging to the journalism profession.

Jana Sturwohldt, German exchange student: “The lesson gives me the opportunity to improve my English writing skills and it’s the easiest way to get in touch with the things that are going on in the school.”

Dallas Banta: “I knew newspaper would be something new and I thought it would be fun to try out.”

Lauren Kara: “I thought it would be fun and give me experience in something new.”

DJ Edmondson: “I like the experience of being on the staff and also seeing what my peers think of our newspaper.”

Thrisha Nesbitt: “I enjoy writing and I wanted to experience a different form of writing.”

Briana Panos: “I’ve always been envious of how newspapers worked and operated and I wanted the experience of being a part of the staff.”

School News, Pages 13 on 10/06/2010