PN 77 brings vast experience, strong ambition to next year’s paper

Last Updated on May 17, 2012 May 18, 2012

Written by Matt Cooley, Editor in Chief

With the final issue of Prep News volume 76 finished, the departing seniors are pleased to hand the paper off to a fresh group of editors and staff. John Webb, Adam Thorp, Mitch Mackowiak, Clark DeWoskin, and Brian Dugan will lead next year’s paper as editors. Besides organizing the details of the production of each week’s issue, they will shape the Prep News’s overall vision.

“That’s the most exciting thing: to see what each new group does to make that volume theirs—what they do that builds on and continues good work, but also the ways that they put their own stamp on it,” said moderator Steve Missey.

As Editor in Chief, Webb will have the greatest responsibility to shape that stamp. Webb will lead the staff quietly, but with great intensity and care.

“What he does have is a deep, deep, deep interest in stories, and I think that’s going to make John a real leader in terms of his vision for the content of the paper,” said Missey. “I think he’s a really careful observer, so I think he’ll be sensitive to all the different things that you have to be aware of when you’re editor in chief.”

Adding to Webb’s powers of observation, Thorp will bring a keen awareness of the many things going on around the school to his post as News Editor. Thorp will be only a junior next year, a rare occurrence for Prep News editors, but still brings a wealth of experience in reporting and writing.

“Adam doesn’t seem like a sophomore. He already seems like a junior or senior,” said Missey.

Over the past year, rising Web Editor Mackowiak has become an expert in managing the Prep News web site and working on layout design, copy editing, and other parts of the paper’s production. As an editor, he faces the new challenge of formulating a vision for the Prep News’s digital edition.

“I think Mitch is going to grow the most in terms of discovering what his interests are and then developing those interests in terms of the content of the paper. So I’m really excited to see what he does with that,” said Missey.

Missey spoke highly of Sports Editors DeWoskin and Dugan’s talent and attention to detail. They will bring quiet enthusiasm and high expectations to the sports section.

“What I’m excited about is they’ve already been having discussions about all the things they want to do next year,” said Missey. “They seem really excited about what they can do to make the sports section theirs, and how they can maybe think beyond the weekly coverage.”

Next year’s editors will be able to rely on an exceptionally talented staff to write stories and put together an outstanding paper. Rising seniors Kieran Connolly and Joe Kreienkamp, rising juniors Jack Godar, Stephen Lumetta, and Thomas Riganti, and rising sophomores Sam Fentress and Jack Kiehl will form the underclassman staff of reporters and writers. Rising junior Ben Banet will begin his second year as the Prep News staff photographer. Rising junior Tom Fields will also assist the paper as staff artist.

“(The staff is) deep, ambitious, and talented, from seniors down to sophomores. It’s kind of spread out nicely,” said Missey. “The current sophomore class is really strong. Everybody really respects Kieran Connolly’s writing. And there’s the triple-threat Joe Kreienkamp, who can layout, do photography, and do writing.”

Next year’s Prep News is also excited to have the help of ASC English teacher Jim Santel, who himself was an editor for volumes 71 and 72.

With a strong core of writers, next year’s editors and staff are well-equipped to carve out a unique place in the Prep News legacy. Their first issue hits homerooms this fall.