It's 'The Advent' of a New Digital School Paper

The Advent is going digital – a first for the student-run newspaper, which has been in existence under its current name for more than three decades.

The digital content can be accessed via QR code found at the bottom of the last page in the October/November 2016 issue or by visiting the website. Advent editors note that videos, photos, and alternate forms of journalism will supplement the written articles that are featured on the printed pages of the paper. Additionally, printing constraints in terms of the number of stories allotted per page are no longer an issue.

“By going digital we can cover more news and be more effective for the school,” said sophomore Shaw Mettler who, along with senior Jem Marriott; juniors Maisa Della Valle, Miranda Iannone and Abigail Malin; and sophomore Aya Wazaz, are the 2016-2017 editors of the paper. There are other contributors as well.

The school has always had a student-run newspaper, dating back some 80 years with the HHCDS Register News followed by such titles as The Hallmark in the ‘60s and The Informer in the ‘70s. The Advent took up the masthead in 1981.

“This year, in particular, we have an extremely dedicated group of editors who facilitate the meetings, hold each other accountable, and encourage each other to create,” said Advent advisor Chase du Pont, a 2002 Hamden Hall alumnus who served on The Advent during his own days under the pines.

“I co-wrote a comedy column with Adam Riccio 2002 titled The Grapevine,” he added.

Co-advisor Marc Osborne agreed that he and Mr. du Pont are “lucky to work with such a gifted cadre of young women.”

“We hope that the online Advent will be an exciting adjunct to the regular newspaper, allowing us to post interesting things in a timely manner,” explained Mr. Osborne.

Currently, there are several additional articles online as well as a video interview with theater teacher Charlie Alexander discussing the upcoming production of Our Town and a video of Hand (a student/faculty-infused band led by Mr. Osborne) performing an unplugged acoustic version of a new song from the group’s next album.

Editors hope that by going digital, students will be more apt to follow the goings-on of their school community.

“Kids our age are used to reading and watching their news online these days. By putting our paper online we hope more students will keep up and that alumni and parents will have easier access to The Advent,” explained Shaw.

The Advent publishes (prints) six issues a year as well as a special graduation issue. Members meet every Friday during club time and after school during the week The Advent goes to the printer.