The 2009-2010 Westminster Newspaper Staff is taking a new approach with the Wildcat Roar newspaper. No longer will the newspaper be just a print version that publishes every three weeks. The Wildcat Roar is now online. The website consists of current news stories, as well as the sports, feature and opinion articles like the print version.
“It provides almost instant communication of what is going on in the school. With printing being our only option it was difficult to write stories and get them out to press before they become obsolete,” said Emily Sherman, editor-in-chief.
News stories and updates can be displayed in one to two days rather than three weeks. For instance the Saturday Night football game can be featured in the website the day students return to school.
“The use of a website alters the atmosphere of the publications room, and makes it feel more like a newsroom,” stated Sherman
The printed newspaper is still going to be handed out at the end of every month. The website’s main purpose is to make the news stories stronger and more concise.
“We will reserve more space in the print version for features and opinion columns,” said Scott Vonder Bruegge, newspaper advisor.
Slideshows are featured on the website along with brief biographies of each staff member.
“The newspaper going online will expand our audience. Although it is a Westminster paper, it’s not just for Westminster students; people around the world can contemplate what we have written,” said Sherman.