Milton Standard-Journal Trip

With a lot of help from Mr. Kevin Mertz, the students were able to get an up-close and personal look at operating a local newspaper. Students observed the Milton Standard-Journal being printed, talked with the press operator, developed a plate from that day's paper, looked on as lay-out staff organized the next days advertisements, and learned from Mr. Mertz what the daily routine of a reporter is at the local paper.

The students arrived at the newspaper's office in Milton PA just as the presses started rolling. The Standard-Journal is printed late in the morning for an afternoon delivery. The chief press operator explained to the students how they had to "waste" copies as they lined up the plates. Three different color plates and a black plate need to be aligned while the press is running. This process takes time and an experienced hand. 

The plates that are used to print the paper are developed and burned onto plates. Mr. Mertz let the students make a plate to bring back to the school as a memento from the trip.

After observing some of the advertising designers lay-out the next days ads, Mr. Mertz and the students engaged in a lengthy question and answer session. The students had a plethora of questions. Students found out that, unlike the Sunbury Daily Item, reporters at the Milton Standard-Journal take their own photos. The students were also surprised to hear about some of the opportunities a writer might get, like meeting the President or being invited on a missionary trip in another country. 

To wrap up the visit, Mr. Mertz and Mr. Cromley discussed matters of ethics involving the press. The field trip was a great way to conclude Mr. Cromley's writing unit, but also reinforced the classes ongoing discussion of moral values and credibility. 

(As a post-script: Mr. Eck ran into Mr. Mertz at the District Magistrate's office a few days after the visit. Mr. Mertz spoke very highly of the students. He said that it was the best group of students he has ever had and that the questions they asked were intelligent, thought provoking at times, and indicated a high level of interest on the part of the students. In a word, the students were "Credible".)