Skyrocket Staff, Spring, 1923

HIGH SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS

It probably is needless to explain what the Skyrocket is, for almost everyone knows that it is our High School paper, published every two weeks by the students of L.H.S.

The purpose of the Skyrocket may be divided into four divisions: The first purpose is that of supplying a means whereby the student is able to get some experience in journalism and in handling business.

The staff is chosen entirely from the student body. The reporters work under the supervision of the department editors, and these in turn act under the editor-in-chief. The reporters gather the news items and write them up. The items are then turned over to the department editor, who corrects them and has them typed. The material then goes to the editors and is placed in the dummy. In many larger schools the printing is done in the school shops.

The second purpose is that of supplying a means of entertainment, not only by the jokes, news items, and contributions published, but by the exchange we receive from other schools.

Advertising our school is the third purpose of our paper. Other schools hear of us, and read about out athletics and other school activities, and find our that we are "on the map."

The fourth, and very important function of the paper, is to bring the student, teacher, and parents closer together. It furnishes a way for the parents to know what is going on in the school, and what their sons and daughters are accomplishing.

The growing importance of a high school publication, in the life of any school, may well be proven by the convention held at Madison, Wisconsin, by the Interscholastic Press Association.

This convention, to which I was sent as a delegate to represent the Skyrocket and L.H.S., was held for the purpose of promoting and bettering the publication of high school papers by getting the editors of the different papers together to discuss the problems that arise in their work, and to create a spirit of enthusiasm.

There were about six hundred delegates present, representing two hundred schools. There were delegates from all over the United States. Some were from Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, New York, Maine and Pennsylvania.

At the opening of the convention the delegates were addressed by the president of the University of Wisconsin, Mr. Edward A. Birge.

Round table discussions were held throughout the convention. Here advice was given by men well versed in journalism. Each delegate brought up his or her problems and they were discussed and solved.

At the convention ball, Mr. McGuire, editor of the American Boy Magazine, spoke on the importance of high school publications in the future.

The standard of journalism is generally thought of as being low. We do not think of a newspaper as being a good reference for correct grammar. How will this standard be raised? The problem will be solved through the high school publication, so let everyone promote this idea, and boost it in every way.

Franklin Petry.