What is The Spectrum?
BY OLIVIA HU '22, JASMINE WU '22, REBECCA ZHANG '22
As I opened up Drive to edit articles this morning, the most refreshing breeze tickled my nose. Finally, this was it: the hallucinatory scent of fresh ink, drifting from a copy of The Spectrum’s Back-To-School issue, which had fallen from a locker door in a forlorn yet graceful state. Alas, it was all a dream, a fantasy, a memory I had never lived.
But I was suddenly struck with a realization—my reverie was no pipe dream, but rather a glimpse into the future and the odyssey that awaits us this year, at The Spectrum. So yes, we’re printing! And you’re holding the newest issue of The Spectrum right now. Who We Are Anyone can find a home in The Spectrum, united under the goal of informing, entertaining, and… snacking. Standard newspaper issues cover everything from love advice to Indigenous history, aiming to amplify perspectives and provoke thought amongst students. Every Thursday afternoon, we gather in room 152W for one of The Spectrum’s trademark productivity sessions, characterized by collaborative brainstorms and spontaneously deep thoughts. The section editors, our ever-present guides, provide feedback and (thanks to COVID-19) offer one-on-one Zoom meetings. Writers can use Thursday meetings to build on analysis, reorganize paragraphs, and spend quality time with their editors. And on most days, you can say “Hi!” to Ms. Hammond, our lovely advisor! The Writing In a months-long process, writers sign up for articles, write outlines, and draft over and over with support from their section editors, allowing them to build on existing skills and receive feedback. Students can write for any section: Mainspread, News, Op-Ed, or Off-Topic. In Mainspread, writers can explore different styles while connecting to the issue’s theme. The News section features articles about the AB community from school news to town events. Look towards Op-Ed (Opinions and Editorials) for opinions on both local and global topics. Lastly, Off-Topic houses an eclectic mix of articles, ranging from song rankings to quirky guides to relatable, student-drawn comics! Our newly established Bits Team, or Breaking In The Spectrum, publishes weekly news articles, keeping our community informed and connected. On a larger scale, the Reporting Team works year-long to research, interview, and craft a comprehensive feature on relevant topics like housing or Indigenous legacy. Non-Writing Sections The Spectrum also hosts a variety of non-writing divisions with Layout, Publicity and Finance, and our podcast, Off The Spectrum. Those with an eye for aesthetics can join Layout, where editors can learn to format the newspaper, maintain our website, or create graphics for social media. Behind the scenes, Publicity and Finance members work with local businesses or hold fundraisers to fund The Spectrum, building people skills, and they manage social media in collaboration with Layout. Recently, The Spectrum started a podcast to share our personal thoughts and discussions in a separate format. Members will have opportunities to interview, edit, and live out their ASMRist dreams. Whether you think cereal is soup or that a hotdog is a sandwich, we welcome you! Fledgling writers and word masters alike—there’s a place for you! |