Headlines and deadlines

Student editors and writers at the Brush and Palette seek to spread the word about their paper.The 15-member staff of the Brush and Palette newspaper sketch out their next edition as pizza and salads flow freely through a classroom turned newsroom -- but the students are learning that journalism is hard work.

Despite the paper’s circulation of 1,000 -- matching the population of Laguna Beach High School -- staff members say that not all students are aware it exists.

Hand-delivering issues to teachers to be passed on to students is one way to increase visibility, but the goal is to have it delivered to businesses around town.

In her first year as the paper’s advisor, journalism and English teacher Angela Balanag said the students’ pride and motivation continues to improve the newspaper, despite a small staff and poor equipment.

“We have six computers that are 100 years old. We don’t even have Internet access,” Balanag said.

With only a handful of freshmen showing interest in working with the paper, Balanag has been actively recruiting students to join.

“There should be 24 people on our staff,” Balanag said. “Anyone can join. You don’t have to be an honors student or take journalism.”

Planning meetings for the staff frequently run from after school to dinner time.

From the latest on students caught drinking at a school dance to the controversy over “intelligent design,” writers take on all kinds of topics.

Senior members on the staff remember the paper as practically nonexistent when they were freshmen.

The editor-in-chief, senior Holly Farless, recalls the paper as having only one issue her freshman year.

Farless joined the paper out of curiosity.

“I wanted to see what it was like. I ended up really loving it,” she said.

In her second year with the paper, Farless credits a motivated staff with redesigning and improving the content into a more dynamic product published every six weeks.

Significant changes include adding a contemporary index menu and “blurb” section to the front page, as well as more opinion, letters to the editor and an “Ask Marie” feature.

Content goals for the paper are focused on respect, depth, variety, involvement, relevance and teamwork.

Writers also serve as photographers for their own stories.

Senior features editor Rachael Marcus recalls not being able to pursue journalism as a freshman.

Gaining her first experience as a reporter in third grade, Marcus created her own neighborhood paper and sold copies for a quarter apiece.

“I used to write about kids around the block,” she said.

In her position with the Brush and Palette, Marcus makes it her duty to know what’s going on in the school. Her favorite topic is the mental health of teens.

“I listen to what students are talking about,” Marcus said.20060210iueb71ncDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Staff members of the Laguna High’s Brush and Palette look over past issues during a meeting.