Student Publications is the umbrella term used to describe the yearbook and newspaper courses at Mater Dei. These two publications provide a platform for students to express their ideas and creativity, cover school events, and give students a voice to initiate productive and truthful discussions. The Scarlet Scroll Newspaper and The CROWN Yearbook each have their own specific and unique process that allows students to gain experience in reporting, writing, layout design, and photography. Covering the different aspects of Mater Dei and beyond, the publication teams’ purpose is to celebrate the diverse backgrounds and interests of the student body and Monarch community as a whole. 

Newspaper:

The Scarlet Scroll Newspaper uncovers the rich stories of the school and the world through the art of writing. Upholding the core values of Mater Dei, students learn valuable skills relating to journalism and promote important conversations to connect with readers. 

The team of student staff writers begin every news cycle with a pitch meeting. Ranging from sports and performing arts features to student spotlights and current events, staff reporters are expected to propose three different story ideas per cycle. Editors then work together to assign stories to each person, and students begin to create their planning sheets, which serve as a reference point and provide a structured framework to organize thoughts. The next step is completing transcripts. This is the point in which staff members conduct interviews or perform research to find relevant information for their given topic. At this point, students determine their angle or the focus of the story and are ready to start writing the copy. The students then also take or source photos to go with the story and create captions for the images. After each step is completed, the newspaper documents are submitted onto a workflow system called SNO Flow. Copies undergo several revisions and approvals by the editors and adviser to ensure student writing is both upholding Christian values, is correctly stated, and maintains journalistic integrity. Cycles are concluded when all articles are refined and published onto The Scarlet Scroll website via WordPress. 

Editor-in-Chief of The Scarlet Scroll, Avianna Echelmeyer has been a part of the student newspaper since her sophomore year. Now, as a senior, she looks back at her time in publications as an experience of growth and recognizes the importance of highlighting the different narratives of Mater Dei, as well as showcasing those that may be overlooked.

“[My favorite thing] is getting to show people things that are about their activity and things they are involved in. They get to see it talked about in a way that they have never seen before, especially the underappreciated arts,” Echelmeyer said.

Echelmeyer also appreciates the variety of topics to be written about that can cater to different audiences. This has enabled her to expand her writing in several unfamiliar areas.

“It encouraged me to broaden the spectrum of what I wanted to do or what I wanted to talk about,” Echelmeyer said. ”It doesn’t always have to be something I’m personally interested in because it can be anything, and it can still be interesting to someone else.”

Yearbook:

The CROWN Yearbook honors the history of Mater Dei by preserving the memories made throughout each year. Fostering a sense of friendship and unity, the yearbook celebrates the school’s great culture through photography, writing and graphic design. 

To first begin a spread—or the pages within the book—editors assign school related topics for each spread to individuals or groups. Staff members begin by using planning sheets, which help to organize the content of what is being covered. Following this, students attend and take photos for the featured events. Once this process is complete, captions are written for the chosen photos, and the copy for the various page modules is written. These “mods” help organize the pages and invite the reader to navigate the page and the stories it entails. All content is then uploaded to the Jostens online yearbook platform, where students utilize industry standard Adobe InDesign and Photoshop applications to integrate their skills in creative design. Pages are thoroughly looked over by the editors and adviser. Once approved, the spreads are sent to Mater Dei’s program coaches or directors and administration for final review. 

Senior Josh Barrera is the current Editor-in-Chief for The CROWN Yearbook. His main role is to ensure that the pages are completed in a timely manner while also maintaining the visual and conceptual theme of the book in its highest quality. Throughout his experience working for the yearbook, Barrera has found a sense of fulfillment and belonging. He finds significance in his contributions, as it has granted opportunities for personal development. 

”Being a part of something bigger than myself is what gravitated me towards Student Publications and getting to work in a team setting and to accomplish and strive to complete something special [is so rewarding],” Barrera said. 

While collaborating with others, Barrera is grateful for his opportunity to lead. He hopes to extend his knowledge and help newer staff members for the benefit of those on the team. 

“I feel like it is important to be a good leader in Student Publications because it does leave a positive mark whether it be making memories or mentoring students. This could [aid me in] positions in the future,” Barrera said. 

Freshman Angela Liu is new to Student Publications. As a recent staff member, she has learned the value of collective involvement and views the yearbook as a group project. Under this understanding, Liu has embraced the lessons of communication and teamwork she has learned.

“You can never do everything by yourself. You have to work and talk with your group because sometimes you might not be able to go to a game or an event,” Liu said. 

Although new to the class, Liu still deeply appreciates the spirit of community within publications. It has presented her the opportunity to meet new people and bond over similar interests, while also working in an innovative environment. 

“It’s a close knit group. I’ve gotten to know a bunch of people, and I’ve become such good friends with a lot of people,” Liu said. 

Social Media:

Both publications are in charge of publishing quality, consistent posts that relate to the current events of Mater Dei, on social media. The goal is to update viewers regularly on student and campus life. Staff Reporter Ava Gomez has taken on the responsibility of Social Media Manager alongside the Social Media Editor, Oliver Yang. Her role is to manage the regular scheduling of assignments for everyone and ensure that Instagram post content for publications is correct, timely, and running smoothly. Gaining this role has helped Gomez develop initiative and an attention to detail.

“I’ve learned a lot about fundamental editing and grammar. It’s taught me how meticulous it really is,” Gomez said. “I’ve also just learned how to manage a team better because you learn how to deal with people that may be off task and how to keep pushing forward.” 

Her contributions in Newspaper and social media have connected Gomez to Mater Dei in a distinct way because she is always learning something new. Staying up-to-date with the latest activities, Gomez is proud of her involvement and the work she has put out. 

“This really immerses you in the school because it becomes a concrete part of your day, and you get to learn something interesting about the school depending on what you write about,” Gomez said. 

Fully student-led under Adviser Nicole Howard, Mater Dei publications represents a unique space to be creative within an organized and rigorous environment. For this reason, Barrera urges all people to join the publication teams in order to gain real-world, professional skills and engage with your community in a new way.

“I would recommend Student Publications to anyone that is looking to meet new people and gain experience in working in a “small business” environment. Being in Student Publications will give you real-world working experience along with the fun of being a part of a community with a shared goal of encapsulating the memories here at Mater Dei,” Barrera said.

Echelmeyer advises students to not underestimate the work that goes into the newspaper or yearbook. However, she still encourages Monarchs to be involved with a hardworking attitude and always apply extensive effort in their work. 

“I definitely would recommend it to someone else, but I would be careful [not] to recommend it to someone that truly isn’t interested in it and thinks it’s an easy class. It’s definitely not an easy class and to come in with that mindset isn’t the greatest because there’s definitely work to be done,” Echelmeyer said. “It can be an easy class if you’re prepared to have work and you’re prepared to set yourself up for success.”