My Portfolio
Welcome to my portfolio. Here you’ll find a selection of my work. Explore my projects to learn more about what I do.
EDITING, LEADERSHIP, & TEAM BUILDING
After being told at the start of my junior year I would be taking on the role of Editor-in-Chief of the Catalyst newspaper, I was both excited and nervous. I knew it would be a daunting task being in charge of a staff of more than 30, but it was a profound experience. With each edit and correction, I've got to know my staff better through their work. Working collaboratively, we've achieved remarkable success—earning accolades at various journalism competitions and conferences. My leadership contributions, combined with the accomplishments of my fellow staff reporters, culminated in the attainment of journalism excellence.
EDITING
For the Catalyst newspaper, I have meticulously worked alongside my adviser to develop an editing system that works best for our staff. Through the use of a shared google spreadsheet, we created a system that incorporates both my edits and our section editors contributions as well. After our staff reporters finish up their first draft they highlight their story in order to signal that they are ready for the section editor to go in and edit their story. Then, after they have made the section editor's corrections, I go in and edit their story more in-depth. After I'm finished, our adviser then goes in and makes the last round of edits and prepares the story to be published online.
Below are few examples of some of the edits I've made on our staff reporters stories that have helped bolster the efficiency and distinction of our publications work.
As Editor-in-Chief of the Catalyst newspaper I'm not only in charge of making the last round of edits for our staff reporters' work, but also I am the one who makes the final decision on what stories will be placed in the newspaper. As a leader, I always want to give the opportunity for all of my staff reporters work to be featured, which is why with each issue of the Catalyst newspaper I make sure that at least one story from every staff reporter is included in our publication. Since I took on the role of Editor-in-Chief, I have utilized a ladder system for our newspaper. Here I'm able to put all of my visual ideas and decide which stories will go on their designated page. It's a great way to make sure I have featured everyone in our class, and serve as a visual representation for the order of our newspaper. In Yearbook, we also use a similar format to keep track of all of our pages and the staff reporters who worked on them.
Like newspaper, yearbook editing is also an extensive process. Every week our staff gets together for a round robin editing session, where everyone passes each others spreads. It's a great way to provide constructive criticism and feedback to everyone and also gain new ideas from my peers. Below is an example of edits I made on a fellow staffers spread.
LEADERSHIP & TEAMBUILDING
Over the past two years I have carefully navigated the challenges that have come along with being the leader of the Catalyst newspaper. One of the biggest obstacles I faced, was going from a team of 30 during the fall semester to leading a team of six students in the spring semester. Through our perseverance we have produced some of the best work in the state of Nebraska. As a staff we have earned a NHSPA Cornhusker for both our Catalyst print paper and Catalyst online. Scroll to see a couple of testimonials from the best staff members an Editor-in-Chief could ever ask for, in addition to the activities we've done as a team that have brought us closer together over the years.
DELANEY LUECK,
Prowler Yearbook Editor-in-Chief
"Quinn is a true testament of hard work. As the Editor-in-Chief of the Catalyst, he always goes above and beyond to make sure he puts forth his best effort while also improving the community within the Journalism classroom. Not only that but he has helped me learn how to be a better broadcaster. Between walking me through interviews, helping film B-roll, fixing my camera and adjusting my tripod he has taught me the ins and outs of a subject I was previously unfamilair with."
MAKAYLA POTTER,
Prowler Yearbook Managing Editor
"Working with Quinn has truly been a blessing. Whether he is helping new members of our Journalism Program, creating new and fun designs for the newspaper, or helping edit spreads for the yearbook he never fails to put passion into everything he does. I've been a part of the Prowler Yearbook Staff for three years and Quinn has only been in it for one year, yet I'm in awe of the work he has produced in such little time."
JACLYN JOHNSON,
Prowler Yearbook
Editor-in-Chief
“Having the opportunity to work alongside Quinn the past two years has been so rewarding. At any given moment, he could be found interviewing students, designing newspapers or editing spreads. He is a very hard worker and he wants to see all of the people around him succeed. Overall, Quinn has had a huge impact inside of not only our Yearbook class, but all of Millard West Journalism.”
NATE BUROKER,
Catalyst News Editor
"Quinn has constantly been someone I look up to in journalism. He's always willing to edit my stories and provide constructive criticism that is actually useful toward my stories. He has helped me out with broadcast when it comes to interviewing and finding sources. Not only has he helped me out with my journalism skills, but also encouraged me to apply for the role of the Catalyst News Editor."
CARLEY BAILEY,
Catalyst Entertainment Editor
"Since I joined Advanced Journalism as a sophomore, Quinn has always been by my side helping me in all aspects of Journalism. Whether it be collecting B-roll for our broadcasts or editing my stories he has helped me become a better journalist. In addition, he has helped other newcomers and underclassmen in the journalism program gain their footing and broaden their skills."
KELSEY NUNNENKAMP,
Former Catalyst & Prowler Yearbook Managing Editor
“One of Quinn's notable strengths lies in his ability to approach stories with a fresh perspective, bringing a unique voice to the narratives he covers. Getting the opportunity to work with such a creative mind like Quinn has been an honor. Whether reporting on school events, conducting interviews, or creating new and unique layouts, Quinn's work reflects a deep understanding of what it takes to be a successful journalist with an extremely bright future ahead of him."
ACTIVITY FAIR
Since my sophomore year I have participated in our schools activity fair for incoming freshman students. Each year I gather a couple of my peers and we collect all of our most prestgous awards and camera equipment from room 312 and bring them into the gym. There, we carefully articulate a table that shows some of the perks that come along with being a high school journalist. This event not only helps further my connections with my peers, but creates a welcoming and exciting experience for potential future high school journalists.
DISPLAY CASE
Over the summer the Prowler Editor-in-Chief and I helped update the journalism display case in our school. After walking past it everyday seeing the worn down newspapers and yearbooks from several years ago, I knew a change needed to be made. We collaborated, seamlessly placing yearbooks and newspapers throughout the display in order to encourage and inform everyone who walks by it that the journalism program at Millard West is a place open to anyone.
WHITE ELEPHANT
Every year during the holiday season our staff participates in a white elephant gift exchange. It's not only just a good time to have fun, but an excellent way to build our connections with one other.
WALSWORTH PLANT
In the Spring of 2023, a portion of the Prowler yearbook, including myself took a five hour bus ride down to Marceline, Missouri to visit the Walsworth printing factory where our books are produced. During our time at the plant we were able to tour the factory and talk to the workers who actually make our spreads and designs come to life.
MAHONEY WORKSHOP
In the fall of 2023, a few of the Prowler Yearbook staff reporters, including myself attended the Walsworth Mahoney Workshop in Ashland, NE. Throughout the event we attended breakout sessions relating to design, photoshop and editing. In addition, we worked alongside real life graphic designers, who helped bring our ideas to life on yearbook covers and spreads.
NHSPA FALL CONVENTION
Every year our staff attends the NHSPA journalism conference at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During this years convention our staff received four Cornhusker Awards (the highest awards given to publications in the state of Nebraska) for the Catalyst print newspaper, Catalyst online, MWHS Wildcat News broadcast and Prowler yearbook. The Prowler yearbook was also the first and only school to be inducted into the NHSPA Cornhusker Hall of Fame, an award created to honor overall excellence and consistent achievement in receiving Cornhusker honors in the association’s critique service. This event is not only a great opportunity to receive recognition for our work, but also improve upon our skills and techniques. Throughout the event, my peers and I attended breakout sessions on broadcasting, layout, design and writing.
UNO HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA CONFERENCE
On March 30, our staff attended the High School Media Conference at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. During the conference we had the privilege of hearing from professional journalists who provided an inside look into what a future in journalism holds. In addition, our journalism program received the 2022-2023 Journalism Program of the Year Award, with a first place award for the Catalyst newspaper and first place for the MWHS Wildcat News. In addition, I placed first for feature video, second place for news story, third place for newspaper single layout and third place for newspaper double page layout.
JEA/NSPA NATIONAL JOURNALISM CONVENTION
During our 2022 Spring break, myself and three other key members of the journalism department traveled to Los Angeles for the JEA/NSPA National Student Journalism Convention. Over the course of three days, we immersed ourselves in a plethora of breakout sessions covering topics such as design, writing, broadcasting, news literacy, censorship and leadership. This experience not only allowed me to enhance my skills as a journalist but also provided a
look into the professional journalism world. Interacting with professional journalists provided me with insights and knowledge that I wouldn't have gained elsewhere. Moreover, I had the opportunity to connect with numerous student journalists from all corners of the country. In addition to attending sessions, I competed in the Review/Entertainment writing category alongside students from across the nation. During the competition, I had the privilege of interviewing a local Los Angeles artist, experiencing their work firsthand and crafting a timed write-up. My writing earned an honorable mention and our Journalism Program earned a Best of Show award as well.
AWARDS
Each time someone on our staff earns an achievement or award, I make sure they write their name and the title of their award on a Pantone sheet and place it on our awards wall. This approach allows myself and my staff to visualize the achievements we've accomplished through our hard work and dedication. It also serves as message to our staff to continue working hard in order to get the wall completely filled.
