Last week, our paper got an email from a school in Michigan asking for website advice. For our website only being in its second year of existence, it is amazing that schools are looking to us for recommendations.

Sarah speaking: I have never been so excited to be nerdy then when the Michigan school emailed us. The school was asking how we set up the “photos” tab on our site. I promptly replied with the code we use on the page to make it create photo albums in a sort of thumbnail format that is easy to view. Although this advice asking thing has only happened on this one occasion so far, I am honored that even one school sought out our site for inspiration. I myself have a few school websites that I almost stalk for inspiration, so its great that maybe mvnews.org has become that site for other schools. This week, I also think it is necessary to start a countdown until our staff attends the National Scholastic Press Association’s journalism convention in Minneapolis. Some of our staff along with staff from the yearbook will be at the convention from Wednesday, Nov. 15 to Sunday, Nov. 20. At the convention, staffs attend classes, compete in journalism competitions and submit publications to be judged against national completion. Last year, our website took 10th place in its category. I can’t wait to see what will happen this year.

Jill speaking:

I, like Sarah, often find myself looking at other school newspaper websites for inspiration on almost a daily basis. It’s so easy to get caught up in trying to figure out everything for yourself that you forget there is almost always another person (or school newspaper staff) that has already figured out the best way to do it. It’s so flattering that a staff took notice to our website enough to take a look at it, and even more flattering that they liked what they saw and wanted to emulate it. They always say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and of course we are 100 percent welcome to helping other schools have the best site they possibly can.

Lesson of the week:

1. Little surprises always come around to remind you that you’re actually doing a pretty good job.

Lesson 11 of being an editor-in-chief: Check.

Countdown to Minneapolis convention: 16 days