The Blackhawk News currently has a staff of thirteen, and meets in Mr. Balsar’s classroom (room 322) during DC time. We are looking to add more writers and photographers to our team. If you have any interest in writing or photography, this would be a great place to explore that interest! Our staff is diverse, and you can make some new friends or work with your friends. It would be a great way to spend time with your friends in a fun environment during the school day, and we are always open to accepting new members. If you are interested in joining our team, please join one of our DC time meetings or see Mr. Balsar in room 322 before or after school, or during passing time if you will not be late to your next class. To get more information about this, I interviewed Mr. Balsar, the Blackhawk’s Advisor, over email.

Me (Simone Hoogheem): Where does newspaper meet?

Mr. Balsar:  Room 322.

Me: What kind of environment is newspaper?

Mr. B:  Friendly, accepting and inclusive.

Me: Why should people join newspaper?

Mr. B: It is a fun team of student journalists that try their best to share news to their fellow Blue Devils. If they like sharing the news in words, photos or video, they should absolutely consider joining!

Me: What jobs are available in newspaper?

Mr. B: Journalistic Writing, Photojournalism, Editorial Cartooning, Social Media, Page Layout, and more.

Me: What kind of news do you report?

Mr. B: The Blackhawk Online is divided into the following categories: News (Student Life, Local, Regional, National and World), Features (In-Depth Stories, Series),  Viewpoint (Opinion, Editorials), Spotlight (Student, Faculty, Staff Stories), Arts & Entertainment (Central Arts, Reviews) and Sports (Central, National)

Me: What position do you most need filled?

Mr. B: Leaders!  As a volunteer staff, we are always looking for and training for the next Editors to help with the responsibility of getting the news out in a timely fashion.

Me: What kind of people are in newspaper?

Mr. B:  We have a huge variety of students (and invite more to join us). One thing they all seem to have in common is the desire to be a part of their school.  It’s a great way to know what’s really going on at Central and they get the power to make choices on what and how to share the news.

Me: Do you have to be good at writing to join newspaper?

Mr. B: It might help, but no.  We have an editorial process that should help to make you a better writer and experience will, of course, also help you with that.

Me: How safe is newspaper for minority students?

Mr. B: Newspaper prides itself on being a student run publication, so the staff works hard to include everyone. As the Advisor, I will make sure it is not only safe, but also welcoming to all. I’m so happy you asked that, because I want Central students who also happen to be students of color to know that there is a place for them and that they are needed on newspaper staff. I want our student body to know that the newspaper NEEDS representation from a wide representation of Central’s student body. If you are a student at Central, then it is your school and you should help represent it. By having students of varied backgrounds, we hopefully will cover a wider variety of stories.

Me: Where can I get more information about newspaper?

Mr. B: You can take a look at our online paper at blackhawknews.com.  If you click the About button in the top Menu, it will take you to a link to Mr. Balsar’s e-mail. 

Feel free to contact him or stop by room 322 to speak to him in person!