Editing, Leadership & Team Building

Staff Testimony

When I joined Newspaper, Elaina quickly became the person I went to when I had an issue. She solves problems quickly and efficiently without placing the blame on any of her staff members. As a leader, Elaina provides direction and guidance to every member while checking in often to make sure everyone is on the same page. Being a leader means setting an example for others. Elaina sets an example for the staff by putting in countless hours and overnights when deadlines are coming up and more work needs to be done. She doesn’t ask her staff to work even half the extra hours she works and still comes into newspaper class with a smile and patience for her team. I admire her skill in writing articles, her ability to take charge during chaos, and her endless determination to have the best issue in years. I joined the newspaper knowing next to nothing, but Elaina’s guidance and ability to make time for everyone has helped me grow and learn an incredible amount in such a short time.

- Claire H, Senior Photographer

Elaina has been such a helpful EIC on staff for both years I have been on the newspaper staff. Whenever I have a problem, no matter how big or small, Elaina is always eager to help in any way she can to assist me and other staff members at every turn. Even when she is at her busiest moments, she still has the stamina to continue her efforts while helping the others on staff at the same time. When myself or others are having a problem, Elaina always checks in with us to see how everything is going. She is so pleasant and enjoyable to work with on staff, and for my second year on staff, I became Photo Editor working more closely with her. Over the year, she has continually put forth unwavering efforts to assist me in my position. Throughout the most chaotic times over the year, especially when we are finishing up print issues and preparing to send them off for printing, Elaina has devoted so much of her time to completing not just her own tasks but assisting other editors like myself who have needed it. Elaina is such a hard worker and gives everything her all. From web stories to full print issues, her efforts shine throughout all of the works she produces. Many have been complemented by us this year about both of our issues, and that is thanks in part to Elaina’s passion for what she does and her dedication to the staff.

- Evan, Senior Photo Editor

Elaina’s natural-born leadership is visible in the newspaper room. She is the glue that holds our staff together, ensuring we remain efficient and organized. Not only is Elaina knowledgeable in all areas–design, photography, and writing–but she also brings an unmatched dedication to the program. Her talent and work ethic set a high standard for our newspaper staff and inspires each of us to strive for excellence. This is my first year on the staff, and in the beginning, I knew nothing about what goes into creating a newspaper. Elaina stepped up and taught me things such as how to write a good caption and how to get a good quote. Thanks to her patience and persistence, I am now confident in my skills as a staff member. Her hard work on our publications is evident; after our first issue of 2024, many of the teachers said that this was the best school paper they had read in years. Elaina deserves the credit for this compliment because she worked endless hours, coming in during breaks and after school in order to make the print as perfect as possible. When there is a deadline to meet or a problem to solve, I know that Elaina already has a plan of action in place. Her resourcefulness, incredible attention to detail, and passion for everything she does makes her an invaluable leader for our team.

- Norah, Junior Photographer

Elaina is the glue that holds the whole newspaper staff together. Whether she is staying after school to edit, helping newcomers learn how to use Adobe, or planning the end-of-the-quarter celebration, Elaina’s work ethic and dedication ensure that the staff feels passionate about creating a high-quality newspaper. She takes immense pride in her work and doesn’t stop working until every page is up to her standards.

To be honest, Elaina is one of the main reasons that I joined the Newspaper Staff. Last year, when I was a sophomore, I was unsure what class I wanted to take. Newspaper seemed like such a daunting class, and I wasn’t completely confident in my abilities. However, when I learned that Elaina was in that class as well, I was finally convinced to join. I knew from having classes with her previously that she was the kind of person who never lets you fall behind or give up. She will encourage you to keep trying and to keep learning.

- Elise, Junior Design Editor

When I transitioned from Web EIC to Print EIC this year I wanted to have a clear editing policy to minimize mistakes and help everyone feel supported. With a limited number of editors and a bunch of new staff members, people can get lost in AP style and grammar rules. From experience, I know edits do not just correct spelling and punctuation but content and story flow as well. My system is very simple, every piece of content put out is edited by:

Both copy editors for grammar, punctuation, and spelling
An editor-in-chief for review of angle, sentence structure, and quality of work
Because we are a private Catholic school the story is checked by the advisor, and if a print story, the Principal.

For issue deadlines, all pages are printed and looked at by a group of staff members to catch glaring mistakes or imperfections. Because I am in charge of the overall quality and presentation of the print I make multiple rounds of edits to every page. My perfectionist self comes out as I meticulously go over every detail. I am always the last person to see it before it is sent to the printer so I take great pride in making sure it is up to standard.

Editing Process

Being a leader means being the first person there and the last one to leave and I have strived to emulate that for the last two years as an editor. I prioritize ensuring everyone is comfortable and feels supported inside and outside the newsroom. Even though I have been an EIC for the last two years I remember what it is like to be a staff writer and how the older members made me feel valued and motivated me to do my best. As a leader, I constantly champion my staff and try to build them up so they can get excited about what we are doing and see its value.

I no doubt set high expectations for myself and others from my love for journalism. In my final year, I have met my personal goals and those of others around me. Taking constructive criticism and always seeking self-improvement is an important part of becoming an impactful leader. I run a student publication and always try to make it a learning experience, welcoming any questions that come my way.

During the last few years, I have built good relationships with my staffers based on mutual respect. Being the person everybody comes to when they have a problem or need help can be daunting, but I have learned that nothing is more rewarding than helping someone work past their roadblocks and produce something amazing.

At the beginning of the year, I built somewhat of a staff hierarchy showing people who to turn to when they need help. This has been a truly positive addition to our leadership system because it reassures people that it is okay to ask for support and that there is always someone who can help you.

Leadership

As the top editor, it is my responsibility to provide a fun and unified environment for the staff. Fun always needs to be a priority because it keeps staffers coming back every year. Through doing fun TikTok trends for BMPress’s Instagram, having Christmas parties with raffle prizes, work nights, editor meetings, and lots and lots of food, we build community and friendship with one another making it a class people are excited to come to. Nothing is better than being in the middle of a deadline and lower-level staffers coming in to help because they want to. Building a space where people can bounce off each other's ideas and work together to create something awesome takes a lot of effort but is very rewarding.