With two first place trophies and a sea of individual awards, this year has been one of the best the Blue & Gold has seen.
Success has been the defining factor for four graduating editors, who’ve spent three winning years on the paper.
Here’s the final bow for the “Fab Four” seniors who will head to opposite parts of the country in the fall, but will always remember their years as news junkies.
The Editor in chief
When he was a freshman, editor in chief John Sisser almost dropped journalism.
Three years later, Sisser is the highest-awarded staffer in Blue & Gold history, with a runner-up for National Journalist of the Year, two Superiors in National Write-off Contests, 12 Gold Circles and a heap of other state and national awards to his name.
“The paper is a lot of work,” he said. “It definitely isn’t a class you can just blow off and scrape by.
“It can be incredibly time-consuming, but I don’t believe there is another program that could have prepared me better for the real world.”
Sisser’s job picks up all the odds and ends of the paper. Not only is he in charge of the editorial and entertainment pages, but he also puts together the sports program, runs blueandgoldtoday.org and heads the senior magazine.
“He’s obviously very dedicated and really cares about the paper and website,” adviser Jim McGonnell said. “He’s kind of like a silent leader; he puts in a lot of time and truly leads by example.”
The Feature editor
Feature editor Kim Maples’ journalism career has been a roller coaster ride of stress, anger and success.
“It’s incredibly stressful,” Maples said. “There’s never a time to sit down and relax; as soon as one issue is off to the printer, we immediately move on to the next.”
But the workload hasn’t gone without reward. Maples received two Superiors in the National Write-off contests, eight Gold Circle awards, an Honorable Mention for Ohio Journalist of the Year and other state and national awards.
“Kim is an extremely dedicated and hard-working individual,” adviser Jim McGonnell said. “Her drive and determination to succeed have greatly contributed to the quality of the paper.”
Although her time on staff has been bittersweet, Maples will look back fondly on her Blue & Gold memories.
“Being on the paper has been one of the most stressful, aggravating and best experiences of my life,” she said. “As excited as I am to leave the impending deadlines behind me, a part of me will always miss being in the news loop.”
The Photo Designer
Journalism runs in co-photo editor Taylor McGonnell’s blood.
Not only is McGonnell’s father the adviser of the paper, but her sister was also once a editor in chief.
“I wanted to take journalism because I enjoyed the papers my dad brought home when I was younger and I’ve always enjoyed photography,” McGonnell said. “So I wanted to be a photo editor someday.
“The thing I will miss the most is taking pictures for the paper and The Vid. I have captured a lot of fond memories and exciting events.”
Some of her favorite memories are going to conventions and winning awards. McGonnell has won two Excellents in National Write-off contests, a Gold Key from Quill & Scroll, three Gold Circle awards and other national and state awards in her time on the paper.
“Taylor is a great photo editor,” editor in chief John Sisser said. “She is a hard-worker, responsible and always has the paper’s best interest at heart. She never backs down from a project and has a great eye for design.”
The Photo Assigner
Co-photo editor Katie Logsdon was the last to begin her journalism career, enrolling in Journalism I while taking pictures for the paper full-time her sophomore year.
But though she was the last of “The Fab 4” to join, she’s the only senior planning to continue her journalism education.
“Blue & Gold has taught me many lessons and has made me into the person I am today,” Logsdon said. “It has inspired me to continue my journalism career in the future and someday teach young journalists like myself.”
As a photographer, Logsdon received two Excellents in National Write-off Contests and many state awards. In addition to taking pictures, she’s also in charge of the other photographers.
“Katie keeps track of the rest of the staff photographers and makes sure everything gets done by deadline,” editor in chief John Sisser said. “She’s always ready to roll with the punches, even if we throw a last-minute assignment at her.”