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Back to school

© Daryl Lease

Some of my memories of high school have grown foggy in the 20 years since I graduated, but I can recall clearly my first few weeks as editor of the student newspaper. Among other things, I remember the hunger.

I simply couldn't enough information about how to be a good reporter and editor. I searched the school libary and public library for anything and everything about journalism, and I devoured it quickly. Along the way, I also read every newspaper -- from major metros to free weeklies -- I could get my hands on.

Today, thanks to the Web, student journalists who are eager to learn more about their craft have plenty of places to feed their appetite.

The Web, of course, is home to hundreds of newspapers around the globe -- almost all of them free. It's a huge, sprawling newstand, filled with countless lessons for aspiring writers.

In addition to newspapers (and magazines), the Web also boasts dozens of sites designed specifically for high school journalists.

Among the best I've seen is a new one created by the Poynter Institute, a foundation in St. Petersburg, Fla., that offers year-round programs for journalists, teachers and students.

The Poynter site -- http://www.poynter.org/centerpiece/highs... -- includes more than a dozen articles and interviews of interest to high school journalists and teachers.

Doug White, an online reporter for Poynter who's completing his master's degree at the University of South Florida, talks to St. Petersburg Times writer Tom French, the Miami Herald's Dave Barry and others about their work. The site include information useful to reporters, editors, broadcasters and photographers.

Probably the most helpful part of the site is a list of Web resources for high school journalists and teachers. The list includes links to 16 organizations and Web sites offering free assistance.

Below are links to two of the more comprehensive sites, but be sure to check out the entire resource guide.

http://www.highschooljournalism.org/

The site, put together by the American Society of Newspaper Editors, offers lesson plans for journalism teachers, information on scholarships, and links to more than 350 high school newspapers.

http://www.studentpress.org/nspa/

The site, created National Scholastic Press Association, also falls into the must-visit category. It also offers extensive links to resources and high school papers.

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