Meet the Staff

West Side Story is an online school newspaper that shares news about what is happening in Morristown and the state of Tennessee. A school newspaper is a student-run publication—either print or digital—that serves as a voice for the school community. It covers a range of topics, including school events, student achievements, opinion pieces, and local news, providing students with a platform to express their perspectives and engage with their peers.

The purpose of a school newspaper is to inform the school community: It keeps students, faculty, and parents updated on school events, policies, and achievements. Providing a Platform for Student Voices: Students can express their opinions, share experiences, and discuss relevant issues. Developing Journalism Skills: Students gain hands-on experience in writing, editing, photography, and layout design. Fostering School Spirit and Unity: By highlighting achievements and events, it promotes a sense of pride and community within the school.

From bottom to top, left to right Madalynn Knack, Miracle Styles, Naydelin Laureano Merchant, Andrew Ezell, Niccalia Cornett, Allie Howard, and Kaydence Howard

There are different roles in a newspaper, such as Editor-in-Chief: Oversees the publication process, ensuring content quality and adherence to deadlines. Reporters: Research and write articles on various topics. Editors: Review and edit articles for clarity, grammar, and style. Photographers and Graphic Designers: Capture images and design layouts to complement articles. Advertising Managers: Handle the sale of ad space and manage relationships with advertisers. Distributors: Ensure the newspaper reaches its intended audience within the school community.

The benefits of participating in the newspaper include Skill Development: Enhances writing, editing, and communication skills. Critical Thinking: Encourages analysis of current events and issues. Leadership Opportunities: Provides roles that foster responsibility and teamwork. Collage and Career Preparation: Offers experience relevant to journalism and communications fields. The school newspaper is more than just a publication; it is a dynamic platform that empowers students to inform, engage, and connect with their school community.

The West Side Story visits the University of Tennessee to learn about journalism. The West Side Story staff from West High School recently visited the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to enhance their journalism skills. During their trip, they participated in a Journalism Conference at UTK, where they attended workshops on multimedia storytelling, social media management, and journalistic design. This experience provided them with valuable insights and inspiration to improve their student-run publications, such as the West Side Story newspaper and the Trojan Epic yearbook.

All staff members are required to obtain Adobe Photoshop industry certification to enhance their professional credentials. This certification shows their skills in editing and manipulating images that are used in articles written by the staff.

Staff member Niccalia Cornett says: “I chose West Side Story because this class offers tangible real-world applications, making learning feel meaningful and directly relevant.”

Naydelin Laureano Merchant says: “I love this class—it pushed me well beyond my comfort zone and encouraged me to explore new directions. Trying something different has been enriching, and I’ve really enjoyed my experience and the people I’ve met along the way.”

With this trip, the West Side Story team not only sharpened their journalism skills but also grew closer as a collaborative, inspired group. Armed with their new Adobe Photoshop certifications, a wealth of hands-on strategies from UTK’s journalism conference, and fresh motivation, the staff is poised to elevate their student publications to new heights.