News at Clarkston High School will be delivered in a fresh new way thanks to a revamped school newspaper and a new publications adviser.
‘I’m really looking forward to seeing what the stories are like,? Kate Thomas, newspaper staff writer, said. ‘I just hope we can live up to last year.?
Under the guidance of Mike Comos, the CHS newspaper will debut later this month as Ink Spot, a tabloid-looking newspaper that will embrace more traditional journalism.
‘We’re going for balanced news coverage,? Comos said.
The staff has established a set of goals for themselves this year to make Ink Spot a success with students: Six issues total for the year (two for the fall semester and four in the spring) and making the publication free to all students. Last year the paper cost $1 per issue.
‘We want to make the paper part of the student culture,? Comos said. ‘We want to make it a voice for students. I want them looking forward to it.?
Working on the semester’s first issue, staff members are already hoping to expand the paper’s coverage to include all students and the various issues they face every day. The staff has also started working on recruiting advertising for the paper as well as spreading the word about the revamped newspaper.
‘It looks like we’re going to have more publicity than in previous years and that could really help us out,? Bailey Smith, copy editor, said. ‘We put so much effort into this and nobody knows about it.?
For Comos, the paper’s new focus is exactly what he hopes his students will continue working on.
‘As a school newspaper, we shouldn’t always be happy,? Comos said. ‘There are some issues I think we need to address. We can cover these.?
Comos joins the staff at CHS after serving as publications adviser at Fraser High School for eight years. Making the move to Clarkston was a great chance to spend more time with his family here in the area.
‘To me, it was a good move. It was worthwhile,? Comos said.
Holding a journalism degree from Central Michigan University, Comos worked at small publications and in public relations before going back to earn his master’s in English. Working with students, such as the staff at CHS, allows Comos to still focus on journalism.
‘I still get to do the thing I love, which is journalism,? Comos said. ‘I think I was born more to teach than to be a journalist. I truly love working with kids, especially in journalism.?
To learn the basics of journalistic writing and to practice for the first issue, students write mock stories and learn the rules of Associated Press style, the grammar guide of most publications. Students will be required to come up with three story ideas for the paper’s first issue.
‘They’re kind of our eyes and ears.? Comos said.
So far Comos instruction and guidance has been well-received by his high school student writers.
‘I’m really excited because we have a new teacher and can see the new things we’ll learn and the different things from Miss Freeman,? Stephanie Martin, staff member, said.
Comos replaces teacher Katherine Freeman. He also serves as the school’s yearbook adviser.
Although the first issue of the school year hasn’t come out yet, Comos already has his eyes set on big awards for his staff of hard workers.
Comos hopes to, at some point, have his staff members submit entries to the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association for review and possibly the chance to win a Spartan Award, the highest accolade the organization bestows upon student publications.
‘We want to do well individually and as a paper,? Comos said. ‘You kind of live for that.?