Vol State News 04/28/2008
Volunteer State Community College
Student publications show the power of words
It’s the thrill you get when someone reads your news article, poem or short story. It’s the ability to express what you think, and write what you believe. It’s the power of words. At Volunteer State Community College those student words wind up in more than class assignments. They get out to the world.
“It’s exciting when you have something really big break,” said Lauren Day, Editor of the Settler student newspaper. “You can’t wait for the paper to come out and for people to read your story.”
“I didn’t know I could write,” said George Hodges, a writer for the student literary magazine Squatter’s Rites. “I just sat down and started to do a little thing here and there. I didn’t even like English in high school.”
Hodges writes science fiction. Day concentrates on getting the facts straight. They both take advantage of the opportunity to make their college educations a wordier affair. Vol State sponsors the Settler student newspaper; Pioneer feature magazine; and Squatter’s Rites literary magazine. However, it’s the students who make all the final decisions.
“It’s all their responsibility,” said Settler faculty advisor Clay Scott. “I do a redline after the issue is out with constructive criticism. Students do everything to produce the weekly newspaper except for printing it.”
“We have a managing editor, a layout person and what you’d call submissions editors. It develops their critical faculties to look at people’s submissions,” said Squatter’s Rites faculty advisor Elkin Brown. He describes the rather loud scene when two students were in his office arguing over a story. “That just speaks to the level of enthusiasm we’ve had.”
That enthusiasm has been noticed, both regionally and nationally. Squatter’s Rites just recently picked up another national honor: second place in the American Scholastic Press Association awards. They won the same award two other years. The Pioneer magazine also has three years of awards to celebrate: second place regional honors from the Society of Professional Journalists.
While the awards boost self-esteem, students take away practical skills and experience.
“It gives you a chance for hands on learning,” said Day. “It helps you build up a portfolio of stories to show employers.”
Vol State alumni work at the Tennessean and other regional newspapers. Settler writer Wesley Nolen went on to Western Kentucky University, where he is editor of their award winning paper the College Heights Herald. He says the faculty involvement made the difference for him.
“They went beyond their jobs to help us,” said Nolen. “The door was always open to talk things through. It got me ready for a four-year school.”
For faculty member Cynthia Wyatt the practical nature of writing is fine, but she really appreciates the greater need.
“Young people have so much emotion to deal with in their lives,” she said. “It’s hard for them. An artistic outlet can help.”
For more information about student publications at Vol State contact the Humanities Division at 615-230-3201 or email humanities@volstate.edu
