Magazine shows Howell students' creative side
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

TOYNETT HALL Adviser Carla Lounsbury (front left) is joined by the executive staff of The Laureate, Howell High School's award-winning literary magazine, (l-r) Mark Jander, Anna Zetkulic, Emily Fisher, Jenna Strauss and Brett Siegel.

HOWELL - It is 2 p.m. and the last bell of the day finally rings. While most students are rushing out of the doors at Howell High School and heading home, five dedicated pupils are headed to a meeting of The Laureate magazine.

Emily Fisher, Mark Jander, Brett Siegel, Jenna Strauss and Anna Zetkulic will meet with adviser Carla Lounsbury to continue work on producing Howell High School's award-winning literary magazine.

During their time together with The Laureate, these students not only learn the art of publishing, but valuable life lessons as well.

The Laureate is a student-run publication that features artwork, essays, photography, poetry, prose and short stories from Howell students. The production process takes a full school year to complete one issue of The Laureate.

The students' efforts have previously been recognized by the American Schol-astic Press Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. The Laureate's staff credits its success to its audience.

Fisher, this year's editor in chief, said, "Being at the level of our peers makes the magazine into what it is. This allows us to relate. We're getting what [they are] writing and kind of applying it to the whole high school."

According to Siegel, the associate editor, student input is the heart and soul of The Laureate. The magazine solicits student involvement by sending out fliers and holding open mic nights.

This "interaction lets us know where the students are, how they feel about it and what we need to do," said Siegel.

Strauss, who is the layout editor, said she is always surprised by how talented her peers are.

"There are people you talk to every day and you would never know they were a great writer until they submit something, and you say 'wow,' " Strauss said.

"Wow" was the same sentiment shared by Lounsbury as she described her experience with this year's staff.

"I'm really fortunate to have the staff that I do. This is the best staff I think the magazine has ever had," said Lounsbury, who teaches junior honors classes in literature and arts as well as courses in the humanities program.

According to Siegel, the magazine's success also derives from the team spirit and cooperation each staffer shows.

"We're a pretty good group of friends and we work well together," he said.

In addition to working well together, The Laureate staffers are learning how to organize tasks and manage their time.

Jander, who plans to pursue a career in political science, law or the humanities, said, "The Laureate has helped me to develop organizational, time management and people skills."

Strauss said the deadline-oriented process has helped her "to do things on time."

Zetkulic said what she appreciates most about The Laureate is the appreciation for the "art of writing and the culture."

"No matter what field you're in, you need to write," she said.

The spring 2006 edition of The Laureate is available for viewing at Howell High School. According to Fisher, the staff is trying to improve next year's edition by adding more essays and prose.