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Why you should join the FlipSide staff
By Alysha Wood
George Washington High School
Capitol Street is perfect on a Saturday afternoon. We head to Graziano’s for some pizza and then grab a scoop of homemade ice cream at Ellen’s.
The time is also ripe for winning whimsical door prizes, listening to guest speakers, attending workshops or going on field trips. Discussions over knots in school administrations arise and we express our opinions on current political issues. On top of all this, I receive a check in exchange for doing what I love to do the most: write.
This is how things typically work when you’re on The Charleston Gazette’s FlipSide staff. You eat, hang out with students from other schools and learn about the newspaper world during monthly meetings. You see your work published on a regular basis — and you get paid for it.
The joy of the writing process is incomparable to anything I know. It is by far the most rewarding aspect of being a writer. The growth and vitality I feel in a moment of writing is the thrill that drives me deeper into my art.
Seeing myself in print, however, comes as an added bonus. Because of the Gazette’s wide circulation, I often receive feedback from students, teachers and community members who have read my articles. With the recent launch of the FlipSide Web site, my journalistic adventures as a staff correspondent give me even greater exposure.
It all began when I wrote a short essay as an assignment for my ninth-grade English class. My classmates and I submitted our work to what was then called FlipSide Sunday; I was among five in my class whose articles were chosen for publication.
Gaining momentum and confidence, I began submitting “First Person Singular” articles to the Gazette. Soon after, I applied to become a FlipSide staff member. Since then, I have been a loyal correspondent.
My three years with FlipSide has definitely matured me. Because my high school does not have a student newspaper, the experience has been especially beneficial.
Before becoming a staff member, I had devoted most of my energies to poetry and creative writing. Transforming that creative talent into an objective style, while keeping my voice fresh and unique, has continued to challenge the caliber of my abilities. My editor, Marina Hendricks, has given me valuable support and feedback regarding this.
While FlipSide has given me the freedom to come up with my own topics, I receive plenty of guidance and support in order to achieve a level of professionalism. I have also gained experience from frequent publication and an exposure to the work ethic. Through meeting deadlines and conducting various interviews, I have learned how to fine-tune and manipulate my writing style while keeping my approach creative.
FlipSide is currently recruiting new staff members. If you enjoy writing about your school and issues involving teens or the community, FlipSide is for you. You can also write about personal issues and experiences such as your summer trip, or review books, movies, CDs and plays.
Amateurs who enjoy writing and want to learn how to develop their talent are welcome. But if you are a hardcore writer who wants to step into a professional field, then be sure to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.
FlipSide also needs artists. The staff is open not just to writers, but also to illustrators and photographers. FlipSide is lacking in this department and your help is needed. You have the opportunity to develop photo essays on various subjects, design illustrations for articles and even create original cartoons. You can collaborate with FlipSide writers or produce artwork for your own articles.
But whether it is writers, photographers or artists, I would like to see more minorities on the FlipSide staff.
As an Asian-American, I feel that FlipSide needs to encompass the viewpoints of people of all colors in order to represent more effectively the teen population of today. This community needs to acknowledge its minority journalists and it is healthy for us to step up and speak out.
Earlier this school year, I wrote an article on Buddhism and Web sites that are bringing its ancient philosophies to the West. FlipSide provides an awesome opportunity for teens of all races and backgrounds to shed light on our beliefs and bring attention to issues that concern and affect us. Using our unique point of view, we can offer much to this world.
Join Flip Side and be the voice of your generation!
[Click here for an application form, or call 348-4881 and ask FlipSide editor Marina Hendricks to send you one by snail-mail. ]
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