In preparation for Scholastic Journalism Week, Feb. 20-26, the staff of The Feather discussed their craft with a professional copy editor and met with fellow student journalists.

Alumna Lynn Swanbom, ’00, who currently works as a copy editor for The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, WA, visited the publications class on Feb. 14 to share her experiences in the field of journalism.

As a copy editor at the newspaper, Swanbom works on the night desk proofing copy, writing display text and designing pages. Although she initially anticipated a career in law, she later decided to pursue jobs in the newspaper industry.

During her visit, she examined The Feather and provided encouragement for student journalists.

“Attention to detail and to ease of use will be your best friends in producing an overall effect of quality and usefulness,” Swanbom said. “Continue to work hard for the satisfaction of having a good product and for the confidence you’ll gain as you keep trying things you’ve never done before.”

Meeting with The Vantage

In order to compare experiences and discuss challenges, The Feather staff visited Clovis West High School to meet with the staff of The Vantage after school on Feb. 17.

Greg Stobbe, adviser of The Feather, and Pam Rakis, adviser of The Vantage, coordinated the exchange to encourage collaboration among their students. In particular, the meeting focused on the technical and challenging aspects of digital media, since The Vantage, which produces monthly print issues, has been on the Web for about a year and a half.

Following the meeting, both groups agreed to get together again, this time on Fresno Christian’s campus, to continue the exchange.

For more content related to the Journalism Education Association’s Scholastic Journalism Week, read the Feb. 23 column, Journalism hones junior’s skills, redefines individuality.

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