Feb. 3, 2025
Our past three editions
Jan. 27, 2025 TikTok • Wildfires • Oscars
Jan. 13, 2025 Wildfires • Inauguration • Fact checking
Dec. 16, 2024 TikTok • Financial literacy • Added sugar
THE LEAD
Report redefines obesity, changes recommended use of BMI
Cover implications of this shift for patients
Body mass index, or BMI, has long been used to define obesity — but that might be changing. A report released Jan. 28 calls for focusing on body fat level and other medical complications, instead of just weight, the New York Times reported.
The report proposes that BMI should be used as a screening tool for further testing for excess body fat. Changing how obesity is defined has implications for how drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound are used.
What you can do —
There are many issues wrapped up in the use of BMI as an index of health, but the recent report is a good tie-in to make it relevant now. Possible coverage includes talking to local providers and researchers about how changing the definition of obesity would affect patient experiences, treatment plans and more.
The new recommendations for defining BMI may not be widely accepted, despite 76 organizations endorsing it. It is another piece in the puzzle of how obesity is treated.
Noteworthy
Student newspaper coverage from 1975 confirms John Lennon’s visit to New York school
Don’t underestimate the power of student journalism as record-keeping
In the 1970s a Manhattan school got an unexpected treat: a visit from Beatles lead vocalist John Lennon. Though the visit was widely remembered by members of the school Facebook group, no one could accurately pin down the year of the visit, according to a piece in the New York Times. The piece’s author was in second grade during the visit.
Though the piece in the Times tells the story better, archives of the student newspaper were key to confirming that the visit did happen, and fell in 1975.
What you can do —
This story is just one example of the power of student journalism. As Student Press Freedom week approaches, take the time to remind publication staff, and the community as a whole, of the importance of student journalism and its place in telling the history of the school.
It would also be a fun time to dig through your publication’s archive — or start one if you don’t have one. If your newspaper has been around for a few decades, flipping through old issues and books can be both entertaining and illuminating. There might be stories hidden in publication or school archives; The Huntington News at Northeastern University kicked off a series based on school archives this year if you are looking for inspiration.
What’s viral
CNN restructures to emphasize digital projects
The broadcast network appears to be prioritizing how it is reaching its audience
CNN is cutting about 200 jobs focused on broadcast programming, but those jobs aren’t just going away. The company’s CEO Mark Thompson wrote in a memo that there are plans for at least 100 new positions in the next months to move along the company’s emphasis on digital storytelling, according to a Columbia Journalism Review article.
The broadcast network plans to prioritize vertical videos, posting up to 100 a day, in a TikTok like experiment. Thompson said the changes are part of CNN’s response to the shift in what audiences want.
What you can do —
The start of a new semester is a great time to evaluate how your publication is connecting with your audience. Where do students and staff access your content? Is there something you can be doing to make it easier or more engaging?
For newspapers or magazines with accompanying websites, can you flesh out content to better fit each platform? Examine your social media presence — maybe take a page from CNNs book and work on vertical video content. See how you can better engage with the students and staff you are documenting.
IT’S AN HONOR
It’s always membership season
Don’t forget you can nominate members year-round
It’s time to nominate students for membership, order pins, cords and other Quill and Scroll materials and memorabilia.
We haven’t changed the ordering process from last year. For those wanting to ditch the paper version, you just need to select the form based on how you would like to pay. We have one version for credit card and another version for check or purchase order. (We’ve added buttons for ease of finding these.) As usual, credit card payments are charged $4.49 per order for processing.
While you’re ordering, don’t forget to include any cords and other Quill and Scroll materials and memorabilia.
If your initiation is the week of Feb. 24 now is the time to order!
Members-only area reminder
If you haven’t accessed our members-only area, we encourage you to do so. While we hope to expand this feature, you can find bell ringers, lesson plans and a gallery of our News Media Evaluation Gallup Award winners.
To access, please visit our new member login page. Your credentials are in an email from [email protected]. Please check your spam folder and if you still don’t see it, reach out to us at [email protected] and we will help you troubleshoot!
When you log in, please accept cookies via the popup on the bottom of the page. This will limit the number of times you have to login!
Members-only area activity highlight
Appreciation activity: This is one I brought over from when I advised. It was many students’ favorite day of the year — in fact, many asked when we would be doing it. In this activity, students will show their gratitude by writing notes about others on staff.
Writing, Visual, Multimedia contest open
Due date is Feb. 5
The entry form is live and we are accepting submissions. Be aware, we have added a few categories and changed a few items and descriptions. The cost is $8 for all entry types and you may submit live links. If you would rather make a PDF of the submission, you may still do this as well. Please make sure to allow anyone with the link to view. Remember, we don’t accept a Google document as an entry. We only accept published work.
NEW FOR 2025
The winning entries from our News Writer of the Year (category 16) will now be eligible to compete for a School of the New York Times scholarship to its Summer Academy. This scholarship (valued at $7,500) includes room and board but not transportation to New York City. Student entries will be evaluated by faculty from the New York Times.
Also new this year, finalists and winners in the category of Climate and Environmental Writing will have the opportunity for their work to be republished on a website dedicated to amplifying youth concerns about climate and environmental issues: Youth Environmental Press Team (YEPT): https://www.youthenvironmentalpressteam.org/. This youth-led organization will reach out to some newspaper advisers for permission to republish the stories; once republished, writers will receive $30 payment. Additionally, the organization offers numerous additional opportunities for increased participation as well as paid leadership positions. For more information, contact Jim Poyser: [email protected].
Please make a note — all entries and payments will be due Feb. 5.
Make sure to include either your credit card payments or check or purchase order when you enter. The link provided on the site will take you directly to the credit card or check/purchase order page for the order. The WVM category payment option is at the bottom of the page.
Please reach out if you have any questions.
PSJA journalism contest open
Q&S and Private School Journalism Association set up portfolio contest
The PSJA Journalism Contest, co-sponsored by Quill and Scroll, seeks to honor the best journalism produced by private and independent school students. It is a “portfolio” contest, one that seeks not to reward single stories, but a pattern of excellence over the course of a year.
Other than Editorial Leadership, work produced for the contest should have been published in a news publication — in print or online — or a yearbook between March 1, 2024 and March 6, 2025. Deadline for entries will be Friday, March 7. An awards ceremony will occur after judging is finalized.
For PSJA members, the cost for your school is $20 per entry. Non-members pay $25 per entry. To become a member of PSJA, email PSJA Director David Cutler ([email protected]) and sign up for the PSJA newsletter.
Make sure to include either your credit card payments or check or purchase order when you enter. The link provided on the site will take you directly to the credit card or check/purchase order page for the order. The PSJA category payment option is at the bottom of the page.
If you are interested in entering the contest, please see our website.
Deadline approaches for 2025 Vanessa Shelton Chapter of the Year
Has your chapter been active in Quill and Scroll this year? If so, it’s time to apply for the Chapter of the Year.
Chapters must have initiated members in each of the past three years.
Applications are free and winners will receive a plaque, $250 for the classroom, four free memberships and honor cords and one member spot on our Student Advisory Board.
The deadline is April 18 and the winner will be announced mid-May. The application form is on our website.
Spring convention registration opens Jan. 28
Join us in Kansas City for the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. This year’s convention will be in Seattle. Registration opens Jan. 28 and the hotel link is available to all registrants Feb. 11. Join us for “SEA it to believe it” at the JEA/NSPA spring convention April 24-26.
Upcoming Weekly Scroll pause dates
We will pause the Weekly Scroll during the weeks of Feb. 17, March 10, March 24, April 21 and April 28 since we will be at conventions when we normally would amass the Scroll.
Some advisers and students have found linking to our Weekly Scroll page beneficial.
Thank you for understanding.
Chapter Shoutout needs your help
Make sure to share what you’re doing (or have done) with us! We would love to feature your chapter here.
Please use this Google form or email us at [email protected]. Please include a small description and photo of the event.
Opportunity from the Freedom Forum
The 2025 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference June 22-27, 2025 provides 51 students (one high school junior from each state plus the District of Columbia) with an all-expenses-paid program that includes panel conversations with journalists, newsroom visits, a chance to meet students and industry leaders who share a passion for news, and a unique Washington, D.C. experience.
Participants also receive a $1,000 college scholarship and ongoing support from a community of more than 1,500 alumni. Students build their skills, grow their network and get a head start on their future.
Apply by March 23 at FreeSpiritJournalism.org.
Just a thought
Many of you have requested items to help you with your ordering process. We have amassed all of them on our new membership ordering guide.
The guide is separated into three “how to” sections: identifying members, placing orders and running a chapter.
Some of the new features requested include our membership qualifications chart, membership presentation, membership invitation and a new spreadsheet to help prior to placing an order.
A few reminders as we start the busiest time of the year for us:
- Order early. We need at least three weeks from the time you make payment or submit your purchase order to the time of your induction. Yes, we try to ship out as soon as possible, but during the height of the order season it’s impossible to keep up.
- Online forms are processed quicker, which results in the order being sent earlier. And yes, there’s a separate credit card form and check form. (Combining these into one form is clunky.)
- While most orders are sent via UPS, we often mail single orders or small cord orders.
- We’re happy to send as many orders as you would like. However, to save on shipping costs, order everything all at once.
- If you need the order rushed, we have an overnight shipping service available for domestic orders at an additional charge. We do not offer this during the weeks we travel, so please see our online order forms for these dates. We only ship to the school. If we ship to a residence or overseas, it is an additional charge. Contact our office for pricing.
- Remember to send the membership spreadsheet to [email protected]. We do contact advisers who don’t submit names, but we know it’s tough to remember. Make sure to have the “notify sender” button checked.
- If you make an error in online order submission, just let me know — especially on a credit card transaction. It’s easier (and more cost effective for us to amend a current order than void and then process another transaction since each transaction charges a fee.) We work hard to maintain our current membership fee and we are charged per transaction.
- Take time during the induction to celebrate your students and what they have accomplished. When I taught, I inducted my oldest son into Quill and Scroll, which made me a proud parent and adviser.
- If you have questions, please let me know. I’m happy to help. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response from February through the end of May since these are the busiest months of the year.
— Lori Keekley
