Application for 2012-2013
Directions: Fill out the following information in blue or black ink. Please print clearly. Failure to follow the
application’s directions will void the application.
Name: __________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail address: ___________________________________________________________________________
Phone number: _______________________________________________________(Circle: Home or mobile)
Please indicate the order of preference (1 – 3) the position you would like to hold. (Note: We have the right to
place you in a position we feel you are most suited for. And you have the right to decline such a position. You
must select at least two positions you would like to interview for).
Editor-in-Chief
News Editor
Web Editor
Managing Editor
Opinions Editor
Sports Editor
Layout Editor
Entertainment Editor
Copy Editor
Features Editor
Photography Editor
Art Editor
The Process: Complete the following tasks outlined below. Please complete the process for your number one
preference only. Submit the application and finished tasks to either Mr. Spiconardi or Mr. Vela. Either place the
application in our North House mailboxes or deliver the application in person. We will contact you to set up a 15
– 20 minute interview after school or during lunch.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE APRIL 17, 2012 AT LUNCH IN A-107
All written parts of the task must be typed
 For Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor
1. Editorial: Write an editorial of 300 – 400 words. You may write on whatever topic you would
like to address.
2. Editing: You must edit the attached article. Make all appropriate changes, additions, comments,
etc.
 For Layout Editor
1. Describe your familiarity with the following programs: Photoshop and Adobe in Design. Have
you taken classes in which you learned to use that software? Have you used it before?
2. Create a mock front-page of a newspaper using Microsoft Publisher or any other program of
your choosing. Print out a copy of the mock front-page and attach it to your application. You do
not have to write your own articles. You can substitute articles from other publications. Just be
sure to properly cite those articles.
 For News Editor
1. Editing: You must edit the attached article. Make all appropriate changes, additions, comments,
etc.
2. Write a news article of 300 – 400 words on one of the following:
 An event or an issue facing White Plains High School
 2012 U.S. Presidential Campaign
 For Opinions Editor
1. Editing: You must edit the attached article. Make all appropriate changes, additions, comments,
etc.
2. Write two (2) opinions articles of 200 words debating both sides of one of the following two
topics
 Mandated insurance coverage of birth control.
 Trayvon Martin case.
 For Sports Editor
1. Editing: You must edit the attached article. Make all appropriate changes, additions, comments,
etc.
2. Write a sports article of 300 – 400 words on one of the following:
 Violence in the NFL: Should the NFL have suspended Sean Payton? Did the NFL go
overboard in punishing the New Orleans Saints? How should the NFL curb violence and
protect is players? Can the NFL make the game safer or his violence inherent?
 The NBA’s Draft Eligibility Policy: What is its impact on the NBA and NCAA?
 For Entertainment Editor
1. Editing: You must edit the attached article. Make all appropriate changes, additions, comments,
etc.
2. Write a entertainment article of 300 – 400 words on one of the following:
 Review of a local restaurant or eatery
 The influx of movies being converted to 3-D
 The top five musical artists that you probably don’t have on your iPod
 For Features Editor
1. Editing: You must edit the attached article. Make all appropriate changes, additions,
comments, etc.
2. Write a features article of 300 – 400 words on one of the following:
 The impact of Facebook and Twitter on teen life
 Teenagers and school violence
 For Art Editor
1. Bring in two pieces of your own work:
 A political cartoon about a current issue in the news of interest to you
 Any piece of art you are proud of. It can be of any medium. Be prepared to discuss the
art at your interview.
 For Photo Editor
1. On a disc, submit a portfolio of you photographs. The photos should showcase a wide variety of
subjects (school, nature, architecture, etc.)
2. Photo Essay on one of the following topics
 City of White Plains or New York
 Spring
 A Day in the Life of a Student
 Copy Editor
1. Editing: You must edit the attached article. Make all appropriate changes, additions, comments,
etc.
2. In an essay of 300 – 400 identify and explain the five most unforgiveable mistakes people make
in their writing.
 Web Editor
1. Write a 250 word essay describing why you are qualified to operate and maintain the paper’s
webpage.
Editors’ Responsibilities
 For Editor-in-Chief
1. Organizing each issue of the paper
2. Writing a monthly editorial/contributing to editorials
3. Handling issues between editors and staff
4. Cross-checking facts, spelling, grammar, writing style, design pages and photos;
5. Rejecting writing that appears to be plagiarized or poorly written
6. Editing any content in question
7. Motivating and developing editorial staff
8. Communicating with staff
9. Set deadlines
10. Handling reader complaints and taking responsibility for resulting issues
11. Communicating with newspaper printer
12. Run weekly meetings and oversee layout
 Managing Editor
1. Oversees and contributes to editorials
2. Writing articles when necessary
3. Acquiring advertisement for each issue/organize ad drives
4. Keeping records of advertisements
5. Functions of a treasurer
 Depositing money/keeping record of our accounts
6. Archiving issues of the paper
7. Filling in for the editor-in-chief when necessary
 News, Opinions, Sports, Entertainment and Features
1. Attracting writers
2. Assigning writers articles
3. Informing photo and art what you need for your articles
4. Editing articles
 If an article is not well written, you must work with the writer to produce a better article
 Check facts, grammar, spelling, content
5. Communicating deadlines to writers
 It is your responsibility to contact writers who miss deadlines
6. Write a column or article each month
 Copy Editor
1. Edit to improve the format, style, and accuracy of all article’s text for each issue
 Do not change the substance of the article in your editing
2. After the copy edit, send all articles to the editor-in-chief
 Photo Editor
1. Take the required photos for articles
2. Attend school events in order to take pictures
3. Layout out photo spreads using Adobe Photo Shop
 Art Editor
1. Obtain the artwork asked for by section editors
2. Edit artwork, political cartoons for appropriate content
3. Create art for the paper’s layout (i.e. contents, staff box, announcements)
 Web Editor
1. Upload each issue to the paper’s website
2. Upload additional articles to the website as necessary
3. Post announcements on the website
4. Write articles when necessary/as needed