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Web & Social Media
New Web Coverage System
One of the biggest challenges I faced during my sophomore year as Associate Online Editor-in-Chief was getting a variety of coverage of different sports teams, clubs, local news, etc. posted to the website frequently and quickly. Over the summer, my co-editor-in-chief and I wanted to create a new system to assign stories to staff members and create a system that encourages a connection between sources and our reporters. Along with my executive board, we created a beat system with eight categories like fine arts, school news, boys' sports, girls' sports, etc. Each category is called a team and has a leader. I am the leader for the administration/school news beat team, which means I regularly reach out to my school's administrators for updates and interviews. This system has improved accountability for covering important stories, increasing how many stories are posted weekly on various topics.
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A page from the Fine Arts Team's category on the beats spreadsheet
BNT (Breaking News Team)
Click the photo to visit the website
Our program called short, online news stories "BNTs" and use the aforementioned system for assigning them. These stories typically include one to three sources. The priority for these stories is to have accurate information and post as soon as possible, taking advantage of the instantaneous online platform. Many times, however, these stories will be further developed in the print edition for a longer feature story if the writer realizes there is more story left to uncover. The BNT I wrote this year that has stood out to me is the quick story I wrote about the accusations that arose from the homecoming dance. After writing that story, I pursued another BNT and a longer news-feature and staff editorial in the print edition with interviews with the deans, more witnesses and the principal. Read the BNT here.
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Click the photo to visit this story
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Before this year, there was no position for social media editor. The Twitter handle was often active and included mostly sports-related updates, but I knew most students use Instagram for consuming news over Twitter. Along with the implementation of the beats system, I established a more prominent Instagram role along with my executive board. Short Q&As, reviews and refers to online stories are posted onto the feed, and the story may be used to repost other Prospect-related accounts. The account has gained over 400 followers within the past year: that's more than a 150% increase.