Jan. 12, 2026
Our past three editions
Dec. 8, 2025 AI admissions • News deserts • Pantone
Nov. 24, 2025 Polar vortex • Scams • ‘Wicked: For Good’
Nov. 3, 2025 SNAP • AI chatbots • Word of the year
THE LEAD
Trump administration overhauls childhood vaccine schedule
Summarize the changes, cover scientific evidence
Last week, the federal government scaled back the number of recommended childhood vaccines, from 16 to 11. The changes include the removal of a broad recommendation that children receive hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal, rotavirus and flu vaccines.
The recommendations, which were updated TK day, say the decision for children to receive flu, COVID-19 and rotavirus vaccines be made based on “shared clinical decision-making” with health care providers.
The childhood vaccine schedule is a recommendation, not a mandate, but is often used in state and insurance company decisions, CNN reported. The American Association of Pediatrics publishes its own recommended immunization schedule, which most pediatricians will continue to follow, CNN reported.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association and Infectious Diseases Society of America have all expressed concerns over the changes, CNN reported, citing concern about the ripple effects of this change.
This vaccine news comes in the middle of the largest spike in flu cases the United States has seen in more than 25 years — more people are going to the doctor for flu and flu-like symptoms than has been recorded since 1997. The United States’ measles elimination status is also at risk, as cases spread in South Carolina. (The measles vaccine is still recommended under the new guidelines.)
What you can do —
As states and communities react to the changes in vaccination guidelines, there may be stories about how your area is — or isn’t — changing its requirements. This news is also a good opportunity to dive into vaccination data, usually available through your state’s health department. Your state may share county or school-level vaccination rates, which could form the basis of a story. How does your school compare to the rest of the state? Has there been an increase or decrease in vaccination exemptions in recent years?
The ongoing spread of flu is almost certainly affecting students or staff at your school. The vast majority of states are reporting high or very high levels of flu. Talk to experts about the symptoms that are showing up with the dominant variants — and what people should do if they get sick. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on public health data for your area.
Noteworthy
RFK Jr., USDA release new dietary guidelines, changing food pyramid
Talk to experts about what research says about the changes
In a departure from decades of advice on eating healthy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy released a new food pyramid Jan. 7 that emphasizes protein and healthy fats. The new recommendations minimize grains, which were previously part of the pyramids foundation.
Past guidelines suggested limiting consumption of full-fat dairy and all types of fat. The new guidelines recommend three servings of full-fat dairy a day and the consumption of “healthy” fats, USA Today reported.
The changes are in line with Kennedy’s aversion to ultraprocessed foods and, in particular, seed oils, Scientific American reported. Experts say encouraging people to eat more saturated, animal-derived fats likely poses more risk to heart health than properly-used seed oils.
What you can do —
The federal dietary guidelines are used to shape federal food programs, including school lunches. The recent changes could be used as a news hook for a story about school-provided food in your district. How many students are eating it? What does cafeteria staff prioritize when making menus?
Talk to experts about the changes in recommendations and dive into the scientific evidence for, or against, the changes. What do we know about red meat’s effect on human health? What about the decreased emphasis on grains?
What’s viral
‘Heated Rivalry’ captivates audiences across the country
Gather reactions to the series, hopes for future seasons
Following two rival hockey players through their long, sometimes tumultuous, relationship, “Heated Rivalry” has taken the internet by storm, with die-hard fans praising its emotional nuance and compelling storyline. Adapted from a romance novel, the show’s first season just concluded on HBO Max.
The show, which is quite sexually explicit, unpacks what it may have been like to be a closeted NHL player in the 2010s. It has performed well since its release, and a second season has already been confirmed.
What you can do —
Talk to students and staff about their thoughts on the show. Keep in mind that some people may not be comfortable with the explicit nature of the show. But, for fans, discuss their thoughts on the plot and character arcs. The show tells a compelling story about being a closeted athlete that may ring true for people in your community.
“Heated Rivalry” is also being praised for its portrayal of an autistic character — Shane Hollander, one of the show’s protagonists. Talk about what representation of neurodivergence, and other forms of diversity, means to people.
100 years of Quill & Scroll
Advertising still center stage in scholastic journalism
For some publications, advertising revenue is the backbone of their operations. Selling ads is also a skill rarely taught in school, both today and a century ago when Quill & Scroll was founded.
In the October 1926 magazine, there was an article titled “Making an effective approach to the advertiser” that detailed common pitfalls and best practices in trying to sell an ad. The author, Harry Harper, recommends a carefully planned approach to potential advertisers — there is no one size fits all script for these conversations.
The article also recommends taking a survey of the student body to help inform advertisers and show them advertising in your publication is worthwhile. The same principle can be applied today — what advertisers will best serve your readers?
As the new year gets underway, take time to evaluate and edit, if necessary, your publication’s business practices. It is a good time to update your rate sheet, or start thinking about edits for next fall.
Share your Quill & Scroll story
In honor of the centennial, Quill and Scroll is collecting testimonials, memories and stories from Quill and Scroll from student members, advisers, former staff and friends.Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your experiences on this form! Your answers may be used in marketing and communications materials.
Please share with others in your network — we want to hear from everyone.
IT’S AN HONOR
It’s always membership season
Don’t forget you can nominate members year round
Why not start second semester with a Quill and Scroll initiation? Not only will you beat the ordering rush, you could also have Quill and Scroll function as a journalism club or volunteer organization. (And don’t worry, if you’re worried that having chapter activities will just add another to do time to the list, we have several suggested chapter activities in “lesson plan” format so students can lead these!) While you’re ordering, don’t forget to include any 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.
If your initiation is the week of Feb. 2 or before, now is the time to order!
Writing, Visual, Multimedia contest open
Due date is Feb. 6
The entry form is live and we are accepting submissions. 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.
Please make a note — all entries and payments will be due Feb. 6.
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. We’re happy to help!
Take advantage of our advisers-only resource area
Quill and Scroll has expanded its advisers-only area, which includes bellringers and lesson plans for advisers who have initiated members within the past school year. We will be highlighting a helpful resource in each Weekly and Month Scroll.
Advisers, if you inducted members in the 2024-25 or the 2025-26 school year, check your email (and your spam!) for a message from [email protected]. That email should contain your login information. Please be sure to accept cookies when you log in! If you have trouble, you can contact us at [email protected]. If you have inducted members this school year, we update access every few weeks, so keep an eye on your email.
We will be highlighting specific content from the advisers-only area in each Monthly Scroll, so keep reading for some ideas.
Advisers-only resource area highlight
Learning from student exemplars (Part 2)
In this lesson, students will show how they applied what they learned after examining winners from one of Quill and Scroll’s Contests. Students will show the exemplar piece of award-winning student journalism and their SMART goal. They will show and annotate how they achieved the goal and annotate how they applied what they learned.
School of the New York Times Summer Academy opportunity
We know it’s early, but for those looking for a 2026 journalism learning opportunity, it’s not too early to begin planning. The School of the New York Times Summer Academy is one of the nation’s most competitive journalism programs — and Quill and Scroll members get an exclusive discount.
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 2026 school year). Students must be 15-years old by the first day of their session. Program graduates have been recruited from some of the top journalism schools in the nation. Please see this link for the course catalogue.
All students applying to Summer Academy for the first time are required to complete an online application. Returning students do not need to reapply. As a member school, Quill and Scroll chapter members will have access to pre-registration, which is now open. Last year this program received more than 14,000 applications for 1,700 seats. By going through pre-registration, your chance of being an attendee increases.
Students from schools with a Quill and Scroll Charter can receive $500 off enrollment in the Summer Academy.
Additionally, the winning entries from our News Writer of the Year (Category 16 in Quill and Scroll’s Writing, Visual, Multimedia Contest) are 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.
The School of the New York Times will host a Virtual Admissions Information Session later this fall.
The round 1 deadline will be in mid-December and the admission information and application portal are posted.
Opportunity for those interested in climate reporting
Now in its fifth year, Youth Environmental Press Team’s (YEPT) mission is to amplify youth urgency on the climate crisis by supporting young people in producing journalistic content on climate and the environment and sharing it with their peers as well as the general public.
YEPT republishes climate- and environmental-related content produced by high school journalists in their school newspapers on our yept.org website, along with publishing original content. Stories include a wide spectrum of student-selected subject matter related to climate impacts: invasive species, data centers, animal agriculture, renewable energy, global climate politics, and much more. Republication requires permission of writer and faculty advisor/teacher and nets the student $30. We also assign fresh content for our site: $100 or more for a new assignment, depending on complexity.
As of November, 2025, over a dozen high school Directors representing 10 states contribute to YEPT: Colorado, Texas, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, and Ohio, with other states in the process of joining (pending additional funding). For example, we regularly publish writers from Iowa and California as well as the United Kingdom. Directors help run YEPT, produce stories, and promote YEPT content and the program itself on social media, LinkedIn, and other platforms; each state Director is paid $1,000 per semester for this work.
For more information, contact adult adviser Jim Poyser at [email protected]
Opportunity from the Freedom Forum
The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference June 21-26, 2026, 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 and multimedia storytellers, newsroom visits, networking events, a chance to meet students and industry leaders who share a passion for news, and a unique Washington, D.C., experience.
Participants receive a $1,000 college scholarship and ongoing support from a community of more than 1,700 alumni. Students build their skills, grow their network and get a head start on their future.
The due date is March 15.
Upcoming Weekly Scroll pause dates
We will pause the Weekly Scroll during the weeks of Jan. 19, Feb. 16, March 9, March 23, April 13 and April 20 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.
Just a thought
Happy belated New Year and welcome back from break!
I hope you return well rested and ready for the rest of your school year.
As you may know, this is a very special year for Quill and Scroll. We are excited to continue to celebrate our centennial year with you. The centennial celebration will culminate at the JEA/NSPA Spring Convention in Minneapolis at the Thursday evening adviser reception.
As a reminder, we are looking for stories about what Quill and Scroll has meant to you. Please submit these by Feb. 18.
For the planners out there, we will continue to offer our Weekly Scroll until early May and Monthly Scrolls until mid April. Please remember, we have a lesson plan for you to use with these.
Also, the Quill and Scroll individual contest deadlines are soon approaching. We will again honor the individual award winners for the Writing, Visual, Multimedia (due Feb. 6) and Private Journalism Association Awards (due March 6) at the spring JEA/NSPA National Convention in Minneapolis. Those who place in our contests, and will major in journalism, qualify for two of the three Quill and Scroll Scholarships we offer. (The third is exclusively for members only.)
We will again offer our News Media Evaluation and those will be due to us by June 13. You may enter your news as a stand alone or hybrid (web and print) in this service. We will again offer a Gallup Award Gallery in our members-only area.
All of these contests and critiques are open currently. Don’t wait. Start the process of entering today. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. I’m happy to help.
We look forward to celebrating with you — and serving you in 2026.
Happy New Year!
— Lori Keekley
