The Highlander Publications staff brings together students with an assortment of talents and a wide range of backgrounds to study and produce journalism through writing, photography, design and mutlimedia. 

“It’s a fun experience that I doubt I will ever get to have again,” Jake Elchert, senior, said. “Class resembles what I would think real journalists would be doing at their jobs.”

Publications offers a combination of skills relevant in many other classes as well.

To give younger students and their parents a glimpse into the program, Highlander Publications will be hosting Open Lab Nights on Nov. 19 and Dec. 10 from 7-8 p.m. Students will choose from three stations: photography, multimedia and design, to learn what it is like to be a part of the journalism program and how to cover events and people in their own schools.  Students will have the opportunity to choose the topic they are most interested in and spend the majority of their time focusing on this subject and practicing the skills in a hands-on format.  

According to Highlander Publications adviser Mrs. Rachel Rauch, “It is our hope that we can publish some of what the students produce in their schools on our website homesteadhighlanderonline.com for the community to read.”

“I wish I had an opportunity like this when I was in middle school,” Elizabeth Huskin, senior yearbook editor, said.  “I came into the program knowing so little about it, but ended up loving it.”

These nights will give students a deeper understanding of Highlander Publications, a program that supports the school’s mission of teaching transferrable skills and creating a teamwork dynamic in a real-world working environment.  “Nothing could have prepared me for the relationships I created within this class,” Talia Gottlieb, junior, said.  “I genuinely look forward to coming to class every day and working with my ‘co-workers.’”