The Weekly Scroll for August 31, 2018
News, tips and advice from the Quill and Scroll International Honor Society
Compiled and written by Quill and Scroll journalist Caitlyn Martin
The Lede
Mollie Tibbetts’ father’s eulogy implores Republicans to stop vilifying Latinos
Mollie Tibbetts, a University of Iowa sophomore, disappeared July 18, prompting a nationwide search. Nearly a month later, the discovery of Mollie’s body plunged her family and community into mourning for the loss of her bright life. The man who had taken Mollie’s life was an undocumented immigrant. Politicians Kim Reynolds and Donald Trump, eager to leverage the emotionally-charged case and gain support of restricting immigration, released public statements vilifying Latinos and immigrants. The Tibbetts family is imploring politicians to remove Mollie’s case from their political propaganda. Mollie’s father Rob Tibbetts gave a hopeful eulogy at her service, clarifying that the family harbors no animosity towards the hispanic community. “The Hispanic community are Iowans. They have the same values as Iowans. As far as I’m concerned, they’re Iowans with better food.”
Former Denver Mayor Guillermo Vidal on immigration reform and saving the light on the hill
Murdoch cancer eating the heart of Australian democracy
Former Australian Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called out Fox News tycoon Rupert Murdoch for his cancerous and toxic influence on the country’s politics. He motioned for a Royal Commission to examine Murdoch’s involvement in the “political landscape.” Murdoch’s media monopoly in Australian politics, Rudd states, have led to an abuse of increasing power. “Murdoch operates as a political party, acting in pursuit of clearly defined commercial interests, in addition to his far-right ideological world view.” Rudd feels that politicians are under the constant pressure of appeasing Murdoch, fearing he would “kill you politically” as he has the power to do so with is media influence. Read more here.
Veteran, family man, friend, and Sen. John McCain’s funeral and the outpouring of condolences
It’s An Honor
Start with style
Welcome back scholastic journalists! The revised 2018 Quill and Scroll Stylebook is now available for purchase. Priced for student and staff convenience at $3 each, we encourage advisors to buy a whole class set here. Updates to stylebook guidelines include provisions on gender and pronoun use.
Enter the 2018 Yearbook Excellence Contest!
Proud of your yearbook work? Looking to showcase staff skill? Interested in gaining access to exclusive scholarships and awards of excellence? Enter the 2018 Quill and Scroll Yearbook Excellence Contest today!
High school students who are contributors to or staff members of a student yearbook at any public or private high school are invited to enter the competition. Awards will be made in each of the 18 categories. Categories include Theme Development, Student Life, Academics, Clubs or Organizations, Sports, People, Advertising, Sports Action Photo, Academic Photo, Student Life Photo, Clubs or Organizations Photo, Feature Photo, Graphic Design, Photo Illustration, Index, Headline Writing and Design, Caption Writing, and Personality Profiles.
There are two enrollment classes: Class A: more than 750 students; Class B: 749 or fewer.
Winners of the Quill and Scroll 2018 Yearbook Excellence Contest will receive a National Award Gold Key and are eligible, as seniors, to apply for one of the Edward J. Nell Memorial or George and Ophelia Gallup scholarships. The deadline to submit material is Oct. 10. More information about entry (and the form to apply) can be found here.
Does your school have a Q&S Charter?
What’s Viral?
“Crazy Rich Asians” — Silly Rom-Com or groundbreaking film?
“Crazy Rich Asians,” the first studio movie in over 25 years with all Asian and Asian-American cast, topped box offices the weekend of its initial release with over $34 million in sales. Beyond entertainment value, the film is hailed as an important step towards improving Hollywood’s significantly lacking representation of Asian actors. In addition, the film is being praised for it’s focus and inclusion of the “female gaze,” showcasing the female perspective and restoring agency to women portrayed in media. The actresses in “Crazy Rich Asians” lead the film’s plot. What can we learn from “Crazy Rich Asians”? How will its triumphs be reflected in future productions?
Drone Journalism Code of Ethics aims to raise journalistic responsiblity
Poynter and partners, in collaboration with the National Press Photographers Association, organized four workshops that trained over 325 journalists and journalism educators. Their focus was on how to safely and ethically fly drones with the intention of helping journalists secure their own Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 drone pilot license. In addition, the NPPA created a Drone Code of Ethics, which can be found here.
360 Degree video-immersive journalism adapts the five Ws of reporting
Adapting technology such as 360 degree audio and visual recording, augmented reality, virtual reality, and immersive reality recording devices in multimedia journalism is an exciting development. Comprehensive coverage of a story or event is made simpler, and audiences may be more receptive to immersive journalism because it ensures authenticity and effectively elicits emotional response. However, the key to implementing this kind of journalism effectively is knowing the intended purpose, the audience, and the important takeways of the coverage. Medium offers a thought-provoking guide to multimedia journalists here.
Just A Thought
What are “food deserts” and “food swamps,” and do you have them in your community?
Food deserts: residential areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food
Food swamps: residential areas with a high-density of establishments selling high-calorie fast food and junk food, relative to healthier food options
Researchers are examining the links between obesity rates and other health indicators in communities where food deserts and food swamps are prevalent. Findings suggest that locations of food deserts and swamps heavily impact residents in the proximity, and generally latino and black populations in America are the disparate subjects of health-related consequences due to exposure to food deserts and swamps. Can you identify any “food deserts” or “food swamps” in your community? How do you perceive they affect the eating habits of the community?
Remembering Neil Simon, his contributions to theater, and his lasting impact
Neil Simon died on August 27th, at the age of 91. Simon was a four-time Oscar nominee and a 17-time Tony nominee, winning three times and receiving a special Tony in 1975. His list of honors and playwright accomplishments is as prestigious as it is comprehensive, even including a Pulitzer Prize for 1991’s Lost in Yonkers. Because he was so prolific—churning out more than 60 plays, screenplays, teleplays, and contributions to musicals over the course of half a century—his impact on comedy and theater at large was immense. Consider examining his legacy through your school’s perspective. Who was Neil Simon, and what do your theater departments have to say about his contributions to the theater? Has your school produced any of his plays?
Should female tennis players have a different dress code than men? Tennis legend BJK says “NO”!
French Tennis Federation president, Bernard Giudicelli, is introducing a dress code to the French Open in response to a black catsuit won by three-time victor Serena Williams in the previous year’s tournament. Giudicelli considered the uniform disrespectful to the game and is pushing for a code that is slightly more restrictive on what participants may wear. Tennis legend Billie Jean King calls this undeserved criticism “true disrespect,” and others are speaking out in agreement. What are the rules in your school, your district, your state, regarding how female athletes dress versus how male athletes dress?
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