Big Walnut High School’s news magazine “Rage Page” has only issued two editions since it launched earlier this school year, but already the student-produced, slick quarterly is making waves.
Staffers Skylar Bullock, Kim Crislip, Allie Rooney and Sabrina Sawan have received a 2016 James L. McCann Excellence in Journalism Award from the Ohio Capital Conference.
Big Walnut High School English teacher and Rage Page adviser Mary Mitton-Sanchez said the James L. McCann Excellence in Journalism Awards Program is held each year to honor students for what they have written, edited, published or broadcast within their school’s journalism programs, including yearbooks, literary magazines and news programs.
Mitton-Sanchez said the award is open to students at all OCC schools, and Bullock, Crislip, Rooney and Sawan were nominated because they were instrumental in the news magazine’s long-term planning.
Mitton-Sanchez said seven staff members put out the Rage Page, and another 10 staffers work on the Big Walnut High School yearbook.
“They all take on special projects,” Mitton-Sanchez said. “I just advise, but they do the creating. All of the ideas in our publications, both the yearbook and news magazine, come from the students. We do focus groups; we think of issues relevant to them, plus a few lighter issues. I give them feedback on what sound journalism is, but it’s an authentic learning experience for them because they create something people want to see and hear about.”
Mitton-Sanchez said the four award winners would be recognized during an awards program Wednesday at Thomas Worthington High School.
Mitton-Sanchez noted that future editions of the Rage Page — a third edition is due out in March — would be distributed for free; the first two editions cost $1 per copy.
She also said local businesses, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring the high school news magazine, or purchasing advertising in the magazine or yearbook, can call the high school and ask for her, or email [email protected].
