About

Mission:
The Clarion is Riverside | Brookfield High School’s only student run newspaper. It exists to accomplish these goals:

• To document daily student life.
• To inform students and staff.
• To encourage open dialogue.
• To explore controversial issues fairly.
• To uphold ethical standards and the truth.
• To examine how world and community issues affect the school.
• To publicize school accomplishments.
• To feature unique students, staff, activities, and events.
• To teach Clarion members fundamentals of journalism in action.
• To entertain our readers.

History:

The Clarion began with the inception of the school in 1908.  While the staff still produces a hard copy newspaper, it migrated onto the web to become a 90+% web-based publication in 2007.  Decisions motivating the change were to be more timely, more cost-effective, more environmentally friendly, and more in-line with current trends in real world journalism.

The first version of the online Clarion was produced using hand-coded HTML and Adobe Dreamweaver, but the paper moved onto the School Newspapers Online CMS backbone in the 2008-2009 school year.

National Awards:
(CSPA = Columbia Scholastic Press Association, NSPA = National Scholastic Press Association)

2013-14 (Editor-in-Chief:  Rebecca Rusiecki)
CSPA Gold Medalist Critique with All Columbian Honors
CSPA Gold Crown Finalist

2012-13 (Editor-in-Chief:  Katie Maxwell)
CSPA Gold Medalist Critique
CSPA Gold Circle Awards
-3^rd place (Non-fiction Interview for Digital Media) – Katie Maxwell, Renee Miedlar
-3^rd place (Photo and Audio Slideshow for Digital Media) – Christine Vassos
-1^st place (Comics and Cartoons) – Carey Torres

NSPA Online Pacemaker Award
NSPA First Class Ranking with Two Marks of Distinction

2011-12 (Editor-in-Chief:  Alleigh VandeMerkt)
NSPA First Class Ranking

2010-11 (Editor-in-Chief:  Bradley Wilson)
NSPA All American Ranking with Four Marks of Distinction

2009-10 (Editor-in-Chief:  Jette Pleasant)
NSPA Online Pacemaker Award
NSPA First Class Ranking with Three Marks of Distinction

Notes:
Clarion first began entering its digital newspaper for NSPA critique and contests in 2009-10.
Clarion first began entering its digital newspaper for CSPA critique and contests in 2012-13.