Journalism 1 students at Wesley Chapel High School launch the first publication of their online newspaper, PawPrints on November 15th. PawPrints is the first newspaper publication at WCHS to take on an online presence. PawPrints will be updated online with sections including news, college and career, sports, student life, editorial, multimedia, incase you missed it, art and entertainment, and comics every two weeks.

The publication of PawPrints has incited excitement across campus. Mr. Slater, a 3D and 2D art teacher at WCHS is delighted to see the newspaper display comics and hopes to see the newspaper build community and relieve tension of everyday life. Slater states, “I’d love to see spotlights on excellent student artists…I hope [to see] topics of relevance like equality…we all need some relief from anger and anxiety. We all need to care about each other, even when we all come from different backgrounds. Society is a collection of cultures and that is the beauty of it.” Mr. McDermott, principal of WCHS believes the newspaper will bring students together and inform the student body about opportunities available for them, “I believe that the newspaper will be able to inform students and make them more connected to WCHS, therefore increasing school spirit and involvement.” Assistant Principal, Mrs. Waselewski, shares the excitement stating, “The school newspaper should have a positive impact with school spirit as different groups and their successes are celebrated. I am looking forward to seeing how the school newspaper grows from inception through the end of the year.”

Students also see a bright potential in the newspaper’s future. Journalism 1 student, senior Cole Lipinski is writing for the sports section in PawPrints. Lipinksi will be covering game scores, record breaks, regular and postseason performances. Lipinski is excited for the launch and hopes the paper takes an integral role in student life. Lipinski states, “I am hoping [the newspaper] takes a more pronounced role, obviously when it launches I hope it becomes a pretty major part of daily school life and [something] students will check often.” Mr. Livingston, forensics teacher and girls’ basketball coach, loves that school sports will be displayed in the newspaper. Livingston states, “These student athletes work so hard and I love that they can receive extra attention and well deserved praise.” Livingston can see journalism students and athletes collaborating together very well, “[t]hey want the coverage and you guys can show them some love.” Nineth grade drama student, Kali Manco, hopes to see sports and the drama program displayed in PawPrints. Manco states, “I personally like to look at the sports in newspapers, and drama.” Drama performances and show updates will be displayed in PawPrints.

With the launch of PawPrints, the realm of possibilities has opened for WCHS students. PawPrints will allow journalism students to explore the field of journalism in a hands-on environment while building community around campus. PawPrints hopes to prepare students for real world journalism and build communication skills while lighting inspiration in students to search for the truth and to keep learning.