La Voz
La Voz is a Milton Academy student-run Spanish newspaper that includes news, opinions, regular departments and reviews. The genre alone makes La Voz rare among school publications across the country, as does its continuous publication (four to five times over each school year) since the first edition in 1986.
“We adhere to strict journalistic standards,” said Ana Colbert, who served as faculty advisor to La Voz. “News stories, for instance, have to be researched and represent multiple points of view. If a student’s research has led him to some passionate conclusions he can express them in the opinion columns, but not in the news reports.”
The editors explore themes and then assign writing to eight to ten writers to cover news, features and departments. They may focus on active political, cultural or social events in Spain or Latin America, and then include a focus on relevant Milton campus life. Departments include op-ed opinion pieces, reviews of movies and restaurants, cartoons, and columns called “Gente” or “People” and “Entrevista” or “Interview.”
La Voz’s editors deal with journalistic challenges that are unique to their genre. For instance, both the writers for La Voz and the readers have a range of ability; each issue involves at least two rounds of skilled editing. They have to teach their writing staff journalistic style—in Spanish. The editors must merge diverse articles, about the world and the Milton campus, into a coherent and attractive whole.
The editors have said they enjoy the writing aspect of their jobs most—doing research, moving to a framework of ideas, and then writing. Working on La Voz has helped their writing in English, they say: Finding the big ideas come easier; good editing is worth the effort. The pleasure of a finished product, a permanent expression of the ideas and the hard work, pleases everyone.
In 2012 La Voz launched an online edition. In the winter of 2013–2014, under the leadership of Señor Díaz and Señor Connolly, La Voz transitioned to a 100 percent digital format, providing greater opportunities for writers and greater penetration for readership.
¡Que corra La Voz!
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