At Verrado High School, the Viper Times is entering an exciting new chapter as several members of the Digital Media team step into leadership roles. These promotions bring fresh energy, new ideas, and a renewed focus on creativity and collaboration. I had the chance to sit down with four of these rising leaders to learn more about their goals, visions, and approaches to guiding the publication into its next era.
Antonio, now an Editor-at-Large, is preparing to take on responsibilities that will shape the future of the Viper Times. “Along with a few other students, I’ve been promoted to Editors-at-Large, which is the step right before Editor-in-Chief,” Antonio explains. “We’re learning how to assign stories, use the FLOW and SNO systems, and even explore website design to change the face of the Viper Times for the future.” Beyond mastering the technical side of the publication, Antonio hopes to bring new ideas to make the site more engaging for readers while maintaining the high standard of writing that Mrs. Studts expects from the class.
Jacob, also an Editor-at-Large, is focused on building stronger relationships within the team. “I hope to gain trust and collaboration with the other Staff Writers, making this year a better experience for everyone,” he shares. Having been a Staff Writer last year, Jacob is now stepping into a leadership role where he can support others while helping maintain the quality and consistency of the Viper Times.
Magnolia, another newly promoted editor, is excited to develop the skills needed to run the publication smoothly. “I want to learn how to post stories and improve the Viper Times so it’s not just a school newspaper, but a place that highlights creative storytelling,” she says. She’s especially enthusiastic about upcoming projects, including holiday season stories and other special features that showcase the creativity of the team.
Raquel, stepping into her new leadership role as well, brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective shaped by her experience as a writer and creator. For her, the promotion is more than just a new title—it’s a meaningful opportunity to grow. “In this new position, there are more responsibilities, which means I’ll have to learn how to balance more work,” she explains. “However, I plan to manage time better, and I’ll try to help with whatever I can!” Like the others, Raquel is committed to strengthening the publication, but she’s also passionate about supporting her peers along the way.
Raquel also offers advice for the next wave of Digital Media students—wisdom gained from being deep in the process herself. “If you’re taking this class, I suggest that you always have content for the week—whether it be a story, a podcast, or even photos or coverage at an event. Just have something done for the week so you can not only have a good grade but keep content up for the Viper Times. Attend whatever events you can as well, but most importantly, have fun and be creative with it!” Her words reflect the balance at the heart of the class: responsibility paired with freedom, structure paired with creativity.
Together, Antonio, Jacob, Magnolia, and Raquel represent a new era for the Viper Times—one that emphasizes leadership, creativity, and teamwork. Through their efforts, the Digital Media team is poised to make the publication not just a source of school news, but a hub for student expression and innovation. With their guidance, the Viper Times is ready to continue evolving and inspiring readers, both within Verrado High School and beyond.