The Increscent

The Increscent’s Success

For the record, there were two or three newspapers started before The Increscent was born, in 1898 according to records. But The Increscent is certifiably the state’s oldest student newspaper in continuous print since it first appeared.

At various times in its life, the paper’s publication schedule has changed. In the 1960s and 70s, for example, The Increscent was a bi-weekly. Notably, during that time, it was named the state’s best paper in that category in 1966, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 and 73.

Since, there have been many state awards for excellence in many categories and for individual stories and photos, including with its current publication status as a monthly newspaper publishing seven times during the academic year.

Improvements

As in times past, with change in leadership and staffs, there is much new energy behind the paper. Much of the current vitality has come with Breja Fink, of the BMHS English Department, who took over as advisor two years ago. With Fink’s enthusiasm and direction, current outgoing editors and incoming say they are especially excited about many editorial goals that were accomplished this year and are on the table for next.

As has been the case over the years with new advisors, Fink says, she began her tenure by determining strengths and areas for possible improvements. Beyond making certain The Increscent is fully staffed with 12 editors and an advertising manager, Fink has added a social media manager and has been working toward the inauguration of a web page edition. It has become the job of the social media editor to put out tweets about stories each time the paper published.

Another important milestone for The Increscent involved working the paper out of the “red” through increased ad revenue. “It was a challenge last year to get solvent. But we are now,” she says, adding that she would like to use the revenue to send incoming editors to a summer 2017 conference aimed at high school journalists.

A Change in Quality

In the area of stories and overall journalistic excellence, Fink says, she has focused on what she describes as “more solid journalism and less fluff.” Her effort in this area, she says, was helped by the fact that she was supplied with a mentor from the national Journalism Education Association. She would send a copy of each edition to the mentor for critiquing and seek advice on stories and layout.

In order to improve quality, Fink determined that all copy should appear in Associated Press style, which is the style used by most newspapers around the country. Fink had a journalist introduce this style to students and then through the school installed a computer program to implement the style.

Graduating senior Roxanne Joos, who has served as Increscent managing editor for the past two years, says, “We have put a lot more emphasis on reporter and editor training. We’ve moved away from the idea of assigning a story and saying ‘We hope you can do it.’”

This echos what Fink told new editors at a recent training, “You want to get inside the story! You don’t just want to go to the person who is convenient.”

Seniors Hannah Gurholt and Julie Bosco, as outgoing co-sports editors, similarly say there has been an attention to journalistic excellence on their pages. “There’s been progress for team coverage and to bring an awareness of new sports such as bowling,” Gurholt says. Bosco adds, “We tried to have more of a focus on news – a new athletic director, boys and girls swim teams going to state; graduating senior athletes who will be participating at college.”

“We also tried to include some more controversial issues, such as inequalities in male and female sports,” Gurholt added.

Other new and continuing staff members on board for next year include Lindsey Peake, page two news editor; Caitlin Heerey, reporter; Dayton Fedlt, arts and entertainment editor; and Emily Meade, photo editor. All say they have individual goals that are in line with last year’s progress and seek to add more substance and excellence while increasing readership.

Next Year’s Goals

Looking ahead to next year, Fink says her vision includes doing a newspaper swap with other high schools in the area. Additionally on the horizon is the establishment of an online edition. “Once we have a web edition, this will open a lot of doors. In the beginning, we can have a photo of the week, for example, and then work toward stories. We want to begin with constantly updating but not have it be overwhelming,” she explains, noting that many schools with web editions have two separate staffs, one for the print edition and one for the web edition.”

For now, however, all is in place for The Increscent to thrive next academic year.

[See image gallery at beloitschools.org]

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