DEALING WITH DEADLINES: SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS TEACH LIFE LESSONS

Some are budding journalists. Others simply are involved to be part of a group of friends working toward a common goal.

But students who work on school newspapers in Cape Girardeau and Jackson share in common the benefits that derive from writing, editing, illustrating and laying out their own newspaper.

"They learn how to work with each other," said Rae Anne Kloss, adviser for the Cape Girardeau Central High School Tiger. "The paper can not be done unless they work as a group.

"It's excellent writing experience, not just for newspaper, but in learning how to communicate on paper. They'll be able to use that in the future whether they decide to go into journalism or not."

Debbie Otto, who for the past five years has advised the staff of the Jackson High School Squawler, said students, more than anything, are taught responsibility.

"It teaches them time management," Otto said. "They're dealing with deadlines, which are very difficult, and it also teaches them financial responsibility."

Student salesmen must fill the newspaper with enough advertising to pay the $1,000 cost of publishing each edition of the Squawler, Otto said.

At both Central and Jackson, students use the same type of computers used at any city newspaper. That experience also is valuable, said Kloss.

"They're dealing with writing and layout principles," she said. "More importantly, they get actual hands-on experience.

"They get to put the paper together on the (Macintosh computer), and the computer experience is extraordinary. I feel like some of my students could go into a professional newspaper and do layout right now."

At L.J. Schultz School in Cape Girardeau, seventh grade students put together five editions of an award-winning newspaper each school year.

Pat Heckert, has been adviser to the Paw for the past nine years. She said the seventh grade students put together the paper without the technology used at area high schools.

"We don't have equipment to do the paper, but we meet in a language arts class to put together the stories," Heckert said. "We do all our writing here, then it's sent to the Southeast Missourian for type-setting.

"We get them back and proof-read and do some rough paste-up. The Missourian develops and prints our photographs and then prints the paper."

The Southeast Missourian sponsors Schultz school through the "Adopt a School" program. Heckert said that through the Missourian's help, the students gain valuable experience.

"There are about 25 in the journalism class this year," she said. "Each one is involved in every phase of the newspaper.

"One of the most important things they learn is that they can interview anybody -- the mayor, the superintendent," Heckert added. "Sometimes in seventh grade, they're hesitant about doing that.

"But when the deadline looms, they will do it. I think they gain confidence they would not otherwise have."

In the paper's last issue, the Paw staff put together a spread on Cape Girardeau native Rush Limbaugh -- the now-famous radio and TV talk-show host and author. Students interviewed his mother, brother and former high school classmates.

"We tried to interview him, but couldn't get him to call back," Heckert said.

The Paw, Tiger and Squawler all have won their share of state and regional awards. Advisers attribute the success to an energetic staff and competent editors.

At Jackson, the Squawler this year is edited by three seniors, Cliff Verhines, Jessica Winschel and Cortney Montgomery.

Winschel, 17, said she hopes to emulate Otto and someday teach journalism. She said the hardest thing about putting the paper together is "finding enough time for everything.

"It helps a lot that we're friends, because there's a lot of stress when you're on deadline," Winschel said. "But all three of us editors are really busy with other interests as well, and sometimes it's hard to find the time to get it all done."

Verhines, 18, said he just enjoys being involved with production of a newspaper.

"I think in college I'll probably go into something in the science field," he said. "But this is a fun class. I've learned how to write much better.

"I think the responsibility is probably the most important thing we learn. When you have to cover something, you have to be there and then write up the story by deadline. That teaches responsibility."

Montgomery, 17, started as a features editor last year, when she was responsible for more writing than this year.

"I miss the writing sometimes," she said. "I like to do the writing on things that interest me. Sometimes, though, it's hard because you have to write a story about something you're just not interested in."

She said the most difficult aspect of being an editor is putting all the pieces of the puzzle together to create a good edition every two weeks.

"It's hard to organize everything," she said. "A lot of times, we can be at layout, on deadline, and you find an ad missing. You have to be able to redo all the pages and be fast on your feet."

Few students not involved with the newspaper realize what goes into its production, said Verhines.

"I think people in school take it for granted," he said. "It's been there for so long that they're used to it.

"The staff doesn't take it for granted, though."

Heckert said it helps having enthusiastic students, particularly when dealing with kids in seventh grade.

"The first time they see that real publication come out, and start getting feedback from people who have read it, then they see their hard work pay off," she said. "They can't wait to do it again."