Journalism/Talisman & Yearbook
Announcements
Shingle Yearbook & Talisman Newspaper Applications for 22-23
The editors are currently actively recruiting students for both the yearbook and newspaper for the next year school 22-23. Interested students please complete the applications below.
- Shingle Yearbook Application 22-23 | The Shingle yearbook, is a production publication class, usually 4th period, that produces the yearly historical record of what occurred for students at BHS. Most new staff members initially become reporters, and interview students, take photos of events, and write articles, but occasionally the staff may also need a variety of positions including: seniors editor, sports editor, student life editor, copy editor, graphics manager.
- Talisman Newspaper Application 22-23 | The Talisman, is a production publication class, usually 5th period, that produces a monthly newspaper about students and staff in the BHS community. Most new staff members initially become reporters or photographers, but occasionally the staff may also need a variety of positions including: cartoonists, advertising manager, news editor, features editor, sports editor, opinions editor, A&E editor, copy editor, graphics manager.
The Shingle – Yearbook Production 21-22
Yearbook Production combines the Journalist Writing Class with photography, advertising, budgeting, design and electronic media.
The ultimate goal is the production of the School Yearbook, The Shingle. Students learn about the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, the responsibilities of the press to inform, the ethical responsibility of truthfulness, fairness, accuracy and objectivity, and other principles as well as practical skills of analytical writing, layout, word processing, computer skills, and general paper production.
Meet the Yearbook Team 21-22
Yearbook Editor-In-Chief
Audrey Lepper (12)
Design and Senior Editor
Jemma Sanderson (12)
Managing and Photo Editor
Finn Keenan (11)
Proofs and Copy Editor
Darby Moore (12)
Contact: BallardShingle@gmail.com
Advisor
Michael Smith
mtsmith@seattleschools.org
Update! Yearbook 2021-22 Are SOLD OUT!
The Talisman – Student Newspaper Production – 21-22
Newspaper Production combines Journalist Writing Class with photography, advertising, budgeting, design and electronic media. The ultimate goal is the production of the School Newspaper, The Talisman.
Students learn about the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, the responsibilities of the press to inform, the ethical responsibility of truthfulness, fairness, accuracy and objectivity, and other principles as well as practical skills of analytical writing, layout, word processing, computer skills, and general paper production.
Mission Statement: The Ballard Talisman is an open public forum for student expression, and exists to give a student perspective on issues relating to the Ballard student body and community. Please send signed letters with authors’s name, class or position (e.g. parent, student, teacher , etc.) to the editor.
Subscribe to The Talisman
The Talisman which was established in 1917, is an award-winning BHS student-produced newspaper. Visit the Talisman website for the most current updates and recent articles.
Subscribe to get all seven issues for the school year. Support student media, and stay informed about issues affecting the Ballard community. Subscriptions start at $40.
Advertising in The Talisman
If you would like to place an ad in the paper, please contact ballardtally@gmail.com.
Meet the Talisman Team 21-22
Editor-in-Chief
Will Shepard
Editor-in-Chief
Erica Richardson
Contact: BallardTally@gmail.com
Teacher Advisor
Michael Smith
mtsmith@seattleschools.org
Shingle and Talisman Highlights!
Past Program Highlights!
Shingle Yearbook | March 2019 | The Shingle yearbook staff had several winners at the WA Journalism Education Association(WJEA) competition on March 16, 2019.
Talisman Update | 2018 | Talisman Reps Free Speech Bill Signing | A handful of Talisman staffers participated in the historic governor’s signing of a free speech rights bill for student journalists. In the attached photo, seniors and Co-Editors-in-Chief Jackson Croy and Eleanor Dudley stand outside the state capitol with state Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn (sponsor of the bill), along with senior political correspondent Oscar Zahner.
Update March 2018 | Talisman coverage of students walk out in March. The coverage includes a podcast with excerpts from speakers, and student voices. In addition, the Talisman was able to interview Gov. Inslee.
Talisman Update | 2017 Two Talisman staff members testified in the House Education Committee hearing on the student free speech bill SB5064 this week. You can listen to their testimony here. Feature editor Eleanor Dudley and political reporter Oscar Zahner testify around 1:02:00, and their testimony lasts about 2 minutes.
Additional articles include Story on blind Iranian student’s success | Q & A with two-time state wrestler, sophomore Jeremy Miyake | Gymnastics competes at the state tournament | Cheer takes 1st place at state | Coverage of the women’s march in Washington state | Q & A with socialist council member Kshama Sawant | Behind the scenes making Les Misérables.
Talisman awarded consecutive Pacemaker award finalist | 2015 | The BHS Journalism Program produces a school newspaper called The Talisman that is award winning and nationally recognized. For the second year in a row the Ballard Talisman was nominated as a Pacemaker finalist in the Tabloid category from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) which is considered the highest honor for a scholastic newspaper in the country. Many consider the Pacemaker award as the high school equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize for professional newspapers. It marks the second Pacemaker nomination in the school’s history. Staff editors submitted 5 issues that judges critiqued based on the following: coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, leadership on the opinion page, evidence of in-depth reporting, design, photography, art and graphics.
In addition, each year we also have state and national award-winning writers, photographers, artists, designers and reporters—some of whom later earn journalism honors status (all of which are worthy additions to any college application). Former members of our staff include the Washington state journalist of the year, Anna Ferkingstad, a nationally nominated page designer, Evan Bunnage, and a nationally honored arts writer. Staff members compete both at the state and national level in many areas of newspaper production, often while we attend national conventions all over the country.
The Talisman has had students receive story and design of the year nominations from the NSPA. Most recently, graduated managing editor Greta Rainbow’s story, “Teaching the arts,” was nominated for story of the year. She also won third place in the Edward R. Murrow high school competition for her news story, “Vapor Store Opens Steps Away From School.” The Talisman also won first place as the best website at the Murrow competition.
In 2014, the staff received 2nd place in the country for Design of the Year in the NSPA Newsmagazine category. The newspaper, over the last few years, has also placed in the top ten in the best of show competition at two different JEA national conventions.