High School Journalism Institute » HSJI Faculty/Staff

Vampire Crazed

Avery Walts - Floyd Central High School — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:55:11 +0000

By Avery Walts (Floyd Central HS), Amanda Millea (Floyd Central HS), Anna Dreyfuss (West Potomac HS) and Ian Schaak (Cathedral HS)

Dracula, Buffy, and now Edward are all symbols of the bloodsucking creatures, called vampires. However, when Stephanie Meyer published the book Twilight, she changed the image of vampires for the technological age.

When asked why people think the new vampires are so delicious, Indiana University junior Stefan Sivertson said, “I think new technology is able to give life to the stale characters.”

The American obsession with vampires first started with Count Dracula. Introduced in the 1897 novel by Bram Stoker, the antagonist soon became a legend. However, the way people have analyzed vampires has changed from a feeling of terror to a feeling of lust. According to junior Danielle Faczan, this change is something she is not quite sure about.

“I don’t like it, but at the same time, I do. I like the original idea, just not the romantic part. I don’t like the sparkle and not bursting into flames when they walk into the light,” said Faczan.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was another teen favorite. The television show that opened in 1997 starred Sarah Michelle Gellar, the typical teenager who spent her time killing vampires. In the same sense, Bella Swan spent time with vampires, but in a rather unusual way. Instead of slaying the Cullens, she chose to become a part of their world.

“I guess I can see how it can be sexy biting the neck and the mysterious factor works for them,” said Indiana University sophomore, Lindsay Hicks.

From “Twilight” themed cookbooks, to a massive picture of Edward Cullen on a shower curtain, the vampire hype is very much a pop culture phenomenon. For senior Jessica Meyers, the new persona of the vampire has taken on a more romantic outlook.

“I think people are so intrigued because they [modern vampire characters] put a romantic fairytale and a non-reality twist on real life things like love,” said Meyers.

* David Taiclet (St. Louis Priory School) and Mikaela Orbon (Mercersburg Academy) contributed to this story.

IU Art Museum

Melinda Medina – Noble Street College Prep — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:11:52 +0000

History is an intriguing part of everyone. The IU Art Museum on 7th Street in Bloomington is a great place to learn about various cultures and religions.

Download Quicktime

Did You Know 4.0

Lori Henson, HSJI instructor — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:48:44 +0000

This is the video I showed in the Tuesday session on developing multimedia packages. The subtitle is: "Shift Happens."

Session 2 Photo Gallery

Melanie Mason, HSJI Office Assistant — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:46:27 +0000

The photo gallery for the second session is up and running! Keep checking back for more photos throughout the rest of this week.

You can get to the gallery via the link below or by going to 2010 HSJI > Photo Gallery > Session 2 at the top of the page.

Photos by: Jay Seawell

Session 2: July 11-17 Photos

My HSJI Experience: Bobby Gibler

James Nosek – Mason High School — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:06:00 +0000

After a week at the High School Journalism Institute, students get ready to pack up their bags and head home. For beginning journalists this week has been a learning experience but for more advanced writers this week was a great way to bring ideas back to their newspaper.

Bobby Gibler, a senior at Mason High School and new staff writer, said, "I can’t wait to take these new ideas here and take them back home." When asked about his overall experience at HSJI, Gibler said, "When I first got here, I was nervous but once I knew our schedule and how it worked, I was fine."

Students spent time in lectures and small group sessions with experienced journalism teachers from different schools. "I was impressed with our instructor (Tony Willis). He was willing to help everybody individually and gave us good tips for this coming year," Gibler said.

One of the main topics throughout lectures and small group sessions was about the use of online journalism. "I learned a lot about online editing, and online work that could help out our website," Gibler said.

"I felt we needed direction because we are new writers," Gibler said. "Next year, our advisor will not do the same thing as our mentor did."

Blog: Disco

Carmen Huff – Floyd Central High School — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:44:47 +0000

Doubt, fear, and insecurity all inhabited my mind as I walked into the musty dorm rooms on the Indiana University campus. The florescent lights buzzed overhead and the air conditioner groaned from its exhausting work. It hit me, I was Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Floyd Central Bagpiper; in less than a month the two of us would have an entire staff to run.

I went to class while my teacher talked about our fears and concerns and I quickly realized that I was not alone at all. However, I was surrounded by other people who really understood and were at the same place as me. Day after day, we went over how-to’s and processes that would work. I learned more than I thought I could ever possibly absorb in five days.

I know that I will take a lot of new information with me back to my staff to make the paper even better. One aspect that I will remember is to how to work with my staff. To always praise in public and punish in private. I also learned to ask why and talk to the staff if something seems out of place or wrong; my job is to be there for every one of them.

I learned a lot on a personal basis as well. I learned how to write an editorial successfully, which I am really excited about. Writing blogs and online will also stay with me as the Bagpiper becomes more successful.

Being a part of HSJI was an experience that will stay with me forever. I learned a lot and now I am very confident about being Co-EIC in the upcoming year. I have an awesome advisor, fabulous Co-EIC, and potential-filled staff. I know that with the skills that I learned this week will push not only myself but the entire staff to a new level.

Students, faculty share reactions to press conference

Teresa White, HSJI director — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:12:00 +0000

Download Quicktime

Note: audio only with CG subtitles

Session 1 Photo Gallery

Melanie Mason, HSJI Office Assistant — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:34:39 +0000

The photo gallery for the first session is up. Keep checking back for more photos throughout the rest of this week.

Session 1: July 5-9 Photos

Interview lecture

Tony Willis, Carmel High School — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:06:49 +0000

The Powerpoint regarding interviewing presented July 6 in the Ernie Pyle Hall auditorium may be accessed here.

Welcome Online Journalism Students

Mike Frazier, HSJI Instructor — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:49:08 +0000

By the end of the week at HSJI, you should be ready to post your school website online! From text to photos to video to graphics, you’ll be limited only by your own creativity (and the resources provided by your school). We’ll focus on the basics, but you’ll be ready to expand your site as necessary.

Be creative and ready to launch your newspaper into the word on online communication.

Students browse for creative feature ideas that will be transferred to their school web sites.

Photo by M. C. Moore