News Story #2: Sober Squad

1) Slug: SS- 10/25/07

2) Section of newspaper story would appear (no Op-Ed): Features

NEWS FEATURES CULTURE SPORTS

3) What are the most dominant news elements in the story? Explain in-depth:


News element#1: Timeliness. Why? Sober Squad has recently been going to Valley View, and the students involved in this group have been talking to the middle-schoolers about the harms of drinking and drugs.


News element#2: Proximity. Why? This story has proximity because all the students in it are all sophmores, juniors and seniors at EHS. Also, almost everyone at the high school has dealt with the issue of drinking and/or drugs at some point so this group will hit close to home with a lot of people.


News element#3: Human Interest. Why? I will be interviewing one or two students about their past experience with drinking or drugs and asking them why they choose not to use them. This will add a human interest spin to the story because it puts a face to the group I'm referring to.

4) In a few sentences, describe what the story will be about: This story will be about the Sober Squad group at Edina High School. I will write about how each individual I interview feels about being a part of a group that could be potentially considered "uncool" in a high school environment. It will also be about how often this group meets and weather or not they are making an impact on younger students' decison about doing or not doing drugs in high school.


5) Specifically, who will you interview or contact? Why those people?

Mr. Neilson or Mrs. Shank- teachers at EHS. Why? They are the leaders of Sober Squad and will potentially give me some great information about this group.

Matt Wagar or Mikey Spencer- juniors at EHS. Why? These boys are members of Sober Squad and I would interview them about what effects they think they're having on younger students and any past experience they've had with drinking or drugs.

Mr. Buckley- 8th grade teacher at Valley View Middle School. Why? When Sober Squad went to VVMS today (October 25) he was the teacher whose class the group talked to. He would be valuable to converse with because he would be able to tell me how his students reacted to the anti-drug presention today.

6) What information do you need to gather before you begin interviews? I would need to find out how to contact Mr. Buckley and possibly figure out when Sober Squad's next meeting is so I could maybe go and see what they talk about.

7) What questions do you definitely need answered in your interviews? Why? Have you seen any impact on younger kids' drinking habits after giving your presentations? If so, what? What have been students' reactions to your presentations? Why did you decide to join/lead Sober Squad? What has been your past experience with drinking or drugs and do you frequently get offered them? How often do you visit middle schools? Is there any other places you visit or plan to visit in the near future? How often do you have meetings?

8) What photo opportunities are available to go alongside this story (give names, places, times, etc.)? I could find out when their next Valley View or South View Middle School presentation was and go take pictures.

9) Who should a photographer contact to set up photographs? Contact Mr. Neilson, Mrs. Shank or a Valley View or South View teacher.

10) What concerns or problems do you foresee in getting this story together? Getting all my information and interviews done before next Friday might be a little stressful.

11) Other information?