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One of the most impactful aspects of journalism at CPA is the ownership students have over the class. Although Nagel guides the classes, the student leadership staff is responsible for creating a theme for the yearbook, setting deadlines, delegating tasks, and even contributing to the curriculum. As students face these new responsibilities, they grow confidence in their ability to solve problems and communicate effectively. Senior Head Photographer Lyla Kelley shared her experience,“ This year I had three new photographers in this class period, and I had to start at the beginning and teach them how to take a photo. It was definitely a little intimidating because I had such good teachers my freshman year. I didn’ t know if I was going to measure up, but it was incredibly rewarding.” This system creates a unique investment for students as they produce the yearbook and independently manage their workload.
Journalism at CPA has a history of student-driven development. When upper school English teacher and alum Carolyne Myers Brown served on the yearbook staff, she went to Nagel with the idea to release the yearbook in the spring rather than the summer. This changed their whole process, and in the spring of Brown’ s senior year, serving as Editor-in-Chief, her class was able to release the yearbook and dedicate it to Richard Anderson. Brown spoke to the unique opportunity journalism class creates for students to leave a lasting legacy at CPA,“ I think it was special because it was the first time that we got to do something like that with the yearbook staff and it felt like a gift to the community, to mark that momentous occasion with something like a yearbook that was a student run, student led organization was really cool.” Brown reflected on how the evolution of the program has always been focused on refinement towards a common goal and is successful because students are determined to tell the story of CPA.
Students work together to ensure the whole yearbook reflects the theme through design, writing, formatting, organization of pages, and concept. Students serving in design roles use industry applications like Adobe InDesign and gain credible experience,“ I know so much that I wouldn’ t know if I hadn’ t taken this class. It’ s given me such a leg up going into college because most people don’ t know how to work the software or how to delegate a class. Having these skills already is so beneficial,” said Head Designer Emercyn Randolph. Following graduation, Randolph is headed to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to pursue a degree in graphic design.
In the design process, Randolph explained the importance of staying in communication with her staff to ensure the theme remains cohesive throughout the book. The yearbook staff
ALUM CAMILLE KLAUSNER(‘ 20) SHARED THE IMPACT OF HER EXPERIENCE IN JOURNALISM CLASS,“ WHEN I CONSIDER MY LIFE AND MY PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY, I DEFINITELY THINK JOURNALISM AT CPA PLAYED A HUGE ROLE. AT THE CORE OF WHO I AM, I KNOW I WANT TO BE A STORYTELLER, AND I THINK I DISCOVERED THAT PART OF ME IN JOURNALISM.”
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