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December 4, 2008

Amanda McGregor The Salem News Thu Dec 04, 2008, 12:49 PM EST

SALEM — SALEM — School buses to the prom? What about your “Salem-Scope” horoscope?

For the latest scoop from Salem High School, look no further than The Salem News, which is again partnering with the Salem High student newspaper, Witches Brew, through a link on the Salem News Web site: salemnews.com.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LATEST EDITION OF WITCHES BREW

“It’s good for the community to know about Salem High School,” said senior Shannon Ferguson, a Witches Brew co-editor, “and what concerns students have.”

The quarterly student publication features news articles, sports and editorials.

“This edition is basically a sports and Halloween edition,” said senior Joe Smith, editor of Witches Brew, “and Spirit Week and Powder Puff.”

Humor and satire features include the popular “Village Idiot” column, written by Ferguson, who, in this edition, tackles a proposal to transport students to the prom on school buses.

“A lot of kids are in an uproar,” she said during an interview with the Witches Brew staff on a recent morning. “They already have a Breathalyzer and they’ve done everything they can to make kids safe, so this is just taking away a privilege.”

“A limo adds to the prom experience,” added co-editor Jimmy Towey, also a senior.

Smith also noted the “Salem-Scopes” spoof-horoscopes, which are pithy entries relating to the high school. The current entry for Taurus reads, “No, you have not crossed into the Salem High of the past. You’ve stepped into the Art Wing,” which is poking fun at the partially renovated high school.

Last year, Witches Brew editors Kaitlyn Benjamin and Angela Christoforos, who have since graduated, came up with the idea to partner with the Salem News during their service learning class at the high school.

Teacher Pamela Kessaris, advisor to the Witches Brew, praised them for getting the ball rolling, and credited Madeleine Lutts, now a senior, with carrying on the Salem News connection for her service learning project.

“Otherwise, the paper doesn’t really get passed around the city,” said Lutts. “I’m incorporating the blog with it so people can comment on articles, and it’s good for us to know what concerns they have.”

“They’re so excited to be getting the recognition,” said Kessaris, “and it gives them a real-world application.”

Smith said it also gives students a chance to showcase themselves as writers.

“We can show when applying for college, ‘Check out this Web site. Here’s my work,’” said Smith.

The November edition of the Witches Brew has already hit the halls — and the Web. Readers can look forward to the second edition sometime before Christmas, according to Kessaris.

“In the next edition, we’ll address relationships with teachers,” said Lutts, “and student concerns about negativity at the high school.”

Fourteen students contribute to the Witches Brew under the guidance of Kessaris, who also teaches journalism at the high school.

“It’s fun writing for (Witches Brew),” said Smith, “because there is so much going on. There is never a dull day at Salem High School.”

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