Issue six just came out last Friday, with the first special feature the JagWire has ever done as well as coverage over a few difficult topics.

Sarah speaking:

Every spring, the journalism room becomes a very busy place. This year, many of the editors on the newspaper staff were preparing for regional competitions and Jill and I were also compiling entries for the JEMKC awards which award entire journalism staffs as well as individuals. In the midst of all of that, issue six also had to be put together. I was so excited this issue to have a special section in the paper about defining a generation. I know many staff members had a lot of fun putting that together.

Also this week, our staff found out that we are a 2012 NSPA Online Pacemaker Finalist. It is difficult to explain to people who aren’t familiar with journalism just how high of an honor it is to receive such a designation. The best way to put the recognition into perspective is probably my adviser’s reaction to the news. When I first called her about the news, she said she had to pull her car over to the side, after which she screamed into my ear for a couple of minutes. I am especially excited because the website is only in its second year. Our staff went from posting content weekly or biweekly to posting multiple times a day. Additionally, the website now has a Twitter and Facebook page along with a plethora of other new features. The average number of views the website receives a month is now over 4,000 as opposed to around 400 last year. I am so proud of my staff’s work for the website as well as for the issue.

Jill speaking:

I can honestly say I was really worried about this issue at the beginning. Not because I felt like the story ideas weren’t good, or that everyone on staff couldn’t handle it. I just worried because it was the month where some people on staff would be preparing for the regional journalism competition. I was concerned because I knew I wouldn’t be able to be as hands-on as I was during issue five. Everyone did a great job, however, and proved my fears unnecessary. I am really excited about our first special feature over our generation. Although I was really busy this month, I really enjoyed getting to work on it, and I thank everyone that was on this page for dealing with my craziness and all of my last minute requests. I am also happy to see my fellow editor-in-chief covering more sensitive topics and I know the whole staff always trusts that she will do a good job. I am really looking forward to issue seven, our last issue before the senior issue.

Lesson of the week:

1. Everyone can still put a great issue together even if their editors-in-chief can’t be there every step of the way.

Lesson 26 of being an editor-in-chief: Check.