March 3, 2025
Our past three editions
Feb. 25, 2025 Dumb phones • Coffee • Freedom of the press
Feb. 10, 2025 Blood donations • Immigration • Media in the Trump administration
Feb. 3, 2025 BMI • Power of journalism • CNN
THE LEAD
Rolling economic boycotts planned against major brands
Follow the story as the boycotts take place to see how much traction it gets
Posts started circulating on social media last week spreading the news of a series of economic boycotts that kicked off Feb. 28. The “economic blackouts” in the coming weeks target a number of national brands including Amazon, Walmart and General Mills, NBC Chicago reported.
These blackouts are being planned and promoted by a website called People’s Union USA, started by a Chicago-area meditation teacher, according to NBC Chicago. The boycotts are in response to companies eliminating DEI initiatives.
People’s Union USA is not the only organization calling for an organizing blackouts — labor advocacy group We Are Somebody launched a month-long boycott of Target at the start of February, for example.
What you can do —
Depending on how large these boycotts get to be, there could be many stories embedded in this issue. Early on in the boycotts, talk to experts about the powers and limitations of economic blackouts — do they work against major corporations? There is a lot of history to unpack with boycotts.
It would also be good to talk to students to see if they have heard about these boycotts or plan to participate. The boycott organizers encourage people to shop local instead of supporting big companies, maybe local businesses will see a bump in sales. Talk to business owners to see if this is the case.
The boycotts are inherently political — it is all wrapped up in the Trump administration’s decisions on DEI initiatives. A story could dive into that topic and how it is playing out in your local community.
Noteworthy
Are your runny egg yolks a health risk? They could be
Dive into all things egg news, from economy to health risks
Egg yolks at that perfect stage of runny are a staple of many people’s breakfasts but, according to The New York Times, a runny yolk could have some risks. The heat involved in fully cooking an egg kills pathogens like salmonella and bird flu, which is why food safety officials recommend firmly cooking your eggs.
Salmonella is the leading cause of food positioning-related deaths across the country, and can be found in eggs, the Times reported. It is hard, however, to quantify the risk of any given egg containing salmonella. The Times pointed to one study that suggests that one in every 20,000 eggs has salmonella in it.
Current evidence suggests that bird flu is unlikely to end up in eggs you are cooking with, despite it causing a steep increase in egg prices.
What you can do —
Eggs are top of mind for many people right now because of shortages and price increases, making it a good time for some egg reporting. A story could explore egg alternatives for cooking and baking — talk to chefs about what they like to use as a substitute.
Reporting could also dive into the economics of the egg price increases. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a plan Feb. 26 to invest $1 billion into reining in egg prices, but that won’t help immediately, CNN reported.
If you want to dive into the runny egg debate, talk to food safety experts about the risks associated with eating undercooked eggs and how people should respond.
Also, check out this TikTok from Scientific American that explores what science says is the optimal way to cook eggs.
What’s viral
‘Shrek 5’ trailer released to mixed fan reactions
Talk to fans about their thoughts on Shrek, Donkey’s new look
Almost 15 years after “Shrek 4” debuted, Dreamworks has released the trailer for the next movie in the franchise. The trailer dropped Feb. 27 and generated some intense reactions from fans.
Fans online are critiquing how the main characters look — the animation style has changed a bit since 2010, The Independent reported. Memes quickly popped up on social media criticizing the trailer, Forbes reported.
Joining many of the original cast members in the new movie is Zendeya, who will voice one of Shrek and Fiona’s children.
What you can do —
The original Shrek movies are some of the most successful films of all time, with “Shrek 2” earning the equivalent of $666 million in today’s money when it was released in 2004, according to Forbes. Many people grew up watching Shrek movies, so the release of a new one is bound to stir up some feelings.
Though the movie isn’t set to come out until December 2026, now is a good time to talk to students and staff about their thoughts on the new trailer. Do they like how Fiona, Shrek and Donkey have aged? What about the animation style?
This could also be expanded into a larger story about the effects of ubiquitous pieces of pop culture.
IT’S AN HONOR
It’s always membership season
Don’t forget you can nominate members year-round
It’s time to beat the spring rush and 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 March 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 bell ringer highlight
With an increasing number of students getting their news from social media, how can they differentiate between sources? This lesson has students examine news bias from different media organizations. The extension activity includes students analyzing the sources of content in their social media feed.
PSJA Journalism Contest open, due Friday
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 at the JEA/NSPA National High School Convention in Seattle.
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.
Student Journalist Impact Award
Has your reporting made a difference in your community? Apply by March 15
The Student Journalist Impact Award recognizes a secondary school student (or a team of students who worked on the same entry) who, through the study and practice of journalism, has made a significant difference in his/her/their own life, the lives of others, the school he/she/they attends and/or the community in which he/she/they resides.
This award is co-sponsored by the Journalism Education Association and the Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists. Quill and Scroll became a co-sponsor in 2018.
Benz Scholarship
Applications open for $250 adviser award
Quill and Scroll will award the $250 Lester G. Benz Scholarship to an adviser who undertakes a professional development activity over the summer or in the 2025-26 academic year.
The award can be used to attend a National High School Journalism Conference, to pay for tuition for a university course in a relevant subject area, or for a summer workshop, the JEA Summer Advisers Institute or a local summer workshop in your state, to name a few.
Applications are now being accepted. The deadline is April 11.
The award is named after former Quill and Scroll Executive Director Lester G. Benz.
Student Scholarship applications are also now open and will be due May 9.
Spring convention early bird registration deadline approaches
Join us in Kansas City for the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. This year’s convention will be in Seattle. Registration is open and the hotel link is available to all registrants. Join us for “SEA it to believe it” at the JEA/NSPA spring convention April 24-26. The early bird discount ends March 14.
When you’re there, please stop by our booth! We’d love to see you!
Upcoming Weekly Scroll pause dates
We will pause the Weekly Scroll during the weeks of 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.
School of the New York Times Summer Academy opportunity
We are excited to announce our partnership with the School of the New York Times. Students from schools with a Quill and Scroll Charter can receive $500 off enrollment in the School of the New York Times Summer Academy.
Summer Academy is open to high school students (grades 10-12 and Graduating Seniors based on the grade the student is entering in the Fall 2025 school year). Students must be 15 years old by the first day of their term. All students applying to Summer Academy for the first time are required to complete an online application. Returning students do not need to reapply.
The round round 2 deadline is March 26. Please see this site for application and more details. The School of the New York Times will host a Virtual Admissions Information Session from 4:30-5:15 p.m. CDT March 18.
Gloria Shields NSPA Media Workshop set for June 30-July 3, in Dallas
The Gloria Shields NSPA Media Workshop returns to the Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria June 30-July 3, 2025, with bonus classes on June 29. Workshop registration is $140 per student or adviser. The extra cost for the Sunday bonus class is $20 per person.
In 2024, 808 students from 79 schools took advantage of the instruction from our exceptional faculty.
Complete information, including a promotional video, is available on the workshop website. Registration will open next week.
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
Order season is here!
A few items to note: We have a few people who want position-specific pins. While we are unable to offer these financially for all positions previously offered, we are selling some position-specific stickers. Please see our online order forms for a list of stickers offered.
Additionally, we have expanded our sweatshirt offerings. Don’t forget to check those out when you order.
As a reminder, we released this membership ordering guide to help with the process.
As always, please let us know if you have any questions. We’re always happy to help!
— Lori Keekley
