WEB
The turn of times also marked the turn from traditional print to the embrace of technology and article publication via the web. When I joined the journalism program, we did two printed papers a year — which surprisingly created a greater demand since they only came twice around. Otherwise, everything is published on our online website, “NCHS Live!”
I learned from speaking to professionals in local news such as WHTR or Channel 8 News that it is important to export the same storyline in multiple mediums so it reaches a wider audience. For instance, if you record a news segment for a topic, you should also write a story and, furthermore, promote the segment and story on social media. That way, if someone misses the news segment they won’t have to miss the information.
As I hope to continue my pursuit of journalistic excellence in college and beyond, I try to replicate and contribute to the innovation of existing standards of journalism. For example, in the image below showing some of the articles I have published on the web, the top one on the left side is about AP courses and why they are recommended for students. I also made an Instagram Reel for it and posted a segment in the morning news.
Our student body frequents our website. To cater to the population we are reporting for, we have some interactive aspects to our site. There is currently a countdown to spring break, a poll that is updated regularly, a daily “wordrow”, and a list of trending stories to encourage readers to browse the most popular pieces.
Again, considering the fact that our population of readers mostly comes from the student body, we also find it critical to utilize our web platform to offer resources and support to any students in need.
Ultimately, our website is the go-to source for the latest news globally, nationally, within our state, and within our school–all presented in an interactive and engaging manner– which offers comfort, support, and resources to the student body and all viewers while sustaining our brand of reliability.
SOCIAL MEDIA
NCHS Live! has an engaging and organized social media program with a large following of over 3,300 followers. When I first joined the journalism program, I created a segment on Instagram Reels called “Keepin’ it Reel.” I have been running and editing that section for the past two years of my journalism experience where I ask staff and students for concise, relevant information to inform the student body.
I have also created and am responsible for the Instagram segment “Class Reppin.” After the junior class elections took place, I realized that most students weren’t aware of who their class representatives were and what they were working on. I decided to start “Class Reppin” so each week, the student body would get rotated updates from the junior and senior class presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, and treasurers.
In addition to Instagram, I do indulge in making the occasional TikTok.
I have found that one of the most impactful ways to use our TikTok platform is to use trending audios or video concepts such as a “behind the scenes” segment because it engages viewers in a way that posting an article or segment on Instagram wouldn’t.
Anything unique or interesting immediately draws attention and, in the world of social media, views and likes which is a measurable indicator of content quality.
When the student body is exposed to an intriguing and previously unknown aspect of what it takes to make the content we produce, our viewership increases which allows a larger audience to be reached when we do post important information on that social media platform.
Ultimately, the use of social media by our journalism team fosters a sense of school pride or nationality as the student population we primarily report for feel better informed; entertained; and aware of the events, people, and systems within the school.
SALSABIL QADDOURA 