2008-2009 TJ Journal roster set.
photo by Manuel Perez
Since its inception in 1960, the Thomas Jefferson Journal has had the distinction of being an elite high school newspaper, receiving many awards and boasting teams of talented writers. Recently the publication has decided upon its newest staff to carry on this strong tradition.
The newly appointed members of the staff for next year will range from sophomores to seniors. The new staffers are: Jasmine Kabera, Lauren Abrams, Matt Kleberger, Martha Alvarez, Mike Montgomery, Samuel Thomas, Robert Lampert, Theresa Bradley, Andrew Briss and Jake Hazan. The returning members are Rhea Boyd, Keenan Moore, and Scott Bruskin who will come back to the Journal as reporters with one year’s experience under their belts. The finalized staff members have yet to be given their future section assignments, because the editors are still deciding who will work where.
The editors who have been chosen based on their experience and their qualifications for each section have been selected as well. Manny Perez was picked as the Living and Arts editor as well as the Photo Editor for next year’s staff. Perez’s pictures have been a staple of the newspaper’s for the past year and he will return next year in the same capacity.
Katie Bone will be a new addition to the newspaper next year and will be replacing Christina Danek as the Copy Editor.
Asia Dorsey will be the editor for the Community section as well as the new People section editor, which will highlight teachers and outstanding students in the TJ community.
Following in the footsteps of the likes of Malcolm Glenn, Erin Coleman, Turia Lahlou and Ben Gilliland is next year’s Editor-in-Chief, Vince Crespin who will be editor for both Editorials and Headline News departments. “When I was told by the current editors that I would be next year’s editor-in-chief, my first reaction was to smile. This was something I really wanted and was excited to receive. My second reaction was the thought of all the talented writers who have come before me at this position. People like Ben, whom I have known for years, and Turia, are awesome writers, as well as Malcolm and Erin, whom I never had the chance to meet, but who both have achieved a lot in the journalism field since graduating from TJ and moving on from the position. So needless to say I was ecstatic when I received the news,” commented Crespin.
Since 1960, the publication has adapted to the new technology and different styles of journalism. For the last 18 years, the publication has been headed up by Communications Central Department Chair Matt Spampinato. Through those years Spampinato has seen and helped developed many young minds into journalistic prodigies. He has seen many of his past students go on to achieve much success. The above-mentioned Glenn, Coleman and Lahlou have all gone on to begin careers in the field of Journalism in college. Glenn is now the President of the Harvard Crimson; Coleman, who is now at Knox College, is the News Editor for their publication, The Knox Student, while Lahlou is on The Dartmouth newspaper staff. Spampinato feels overjoyed anytime one of his former students achieves success. “It’s always great when I see one of our editors go into the industry in some form. It makes me feel that they have had a good enough experience here to make them want to pursue a career in the journalism field,” expressed Spampinato, who will continue as newspaper advisor. “I’m really excited for next year. This looks like a great group of writers, and I’m looking forward to working with them,” said Spampinato.
