The Journalism and Communication Program was pleased to announce the launch of The Talon, their new and improved student news website with a newly designed outlet. Since our launch, we have added even more interactive tools and columns. 

All students and staff of MTHS received an email from the program’s adviser and Journalism teacher, Mrs. Ocone (on September 26th) breaking the news that the new student website is now live!! In the email she stated, “The Talon’s mission is to provide students, staff and parents/families with up to date, accurate information that relates to what’s going on at the Home of the Hawks. The Talon’s core values are honesty, truth, accuracy, and objectivity.” The Editors were also quoted, “I’m really proud that the journalism/communications program was able to revitalize The Talon on a new outlet,” said senior Val Kohan, Co-Editor-In Chief of The Talon. “Letting our voices be heard through our articles is a pivotal moment in our high school careers.” Sam Verdi echoed Kohan’s excitement. “I think this new website will be a hit amongst the people of our community. The journalism program has been steadily advancing toward a great legacy that will be maintained for years to come.” 

Since the launch of The Talon we have added even more interactive tools including a news ticker and interactive polls. At the top of the home page of the website, just below the header is where you can find the news ticker. There readers can view recent scores from Manchester games and events as well as important breaking news stories. 

The Talon just added an interactive poll tool in a recent article titled, “Poll: Who Will Advance to the 2022 World Series?”, written by Staff Writer, Colin McAllister. In this article, students, staff, and any reader can participate in voting for who they think will win the National League and American League Championship Series. As of October 23rd, with 15 votes the Philadelphia Phillies has 58% where the San Diego Padres have 42% with 11 votes. On the second poll, the New York Yankees trump the poll with 76% (22 votes) where the Houston Astros have 24% of votes with only seven votes. This is just the first of many polls that readers can survey. 

As of October 21st, the new logo and header went live on the website. It has a beautiful design with a blue background reading “The Talon” in large white font, right below in a yellow text box reads, “The Student News Site of Manchester Township High School”. To the left of the text is a white silhouette of a hawk with a shadowed yellow right wing. The hawk is grasping a computer keyboard in its talons. 

Some returning columns include Entertainment (”The Daily Bugle”) covered by Val Kohan, Nature (“Wild New Jersey”) by Sam Verdi, and Food (“And Now For the Main Event”) written by the Food Critic himself, Andrew Perez. 

Some new additions include, Sports (“Yankees Beat) by Joe Migliaccio, History (“Secret Origins”) also by Sam Verdi, Music written by Grace Costello, Books reviewed by Amaryllis Jones, Trends covered by Lanna Eidell, and introducing Joe’s Beat with Joe Horowitz where our “Roving Reporter” visits lunches asking students and staff one important question. Recently he asked, “What was your favorite Halloween costume you ever wore, and why?” 

On Friday, October 21st, Mrs. Ocone sent out the first annual, “The Talon’s Top 5 Newsletter” to all student and staff’s emails. In the first volume and issue the top 5 stories of the week (ending October 21st) included, “Poll: Who Will Advance to the 2022 World Series?” (by Colin McAllister, Staff Writer), “Alumni Spotlight: Amanda Batista ‘16” (by Kate Uberti, Staff Writer, and Jaylyn Rugoff, Staff Writer), “Joe’s Beat: What was your favorite Halloween costume you ever wore, and why?” (by Joe Horowitz, Roving Reporter), “Taking a Crack at the Pete and Elda’s Pizza Challenge” (by Andrew Perez Food Critic and Assistant Editor), and “She-Hulk: Attorney At Law Episode Eight ‘Ribbit and Rip It’ Breakdown and Guide” (by Val Kohan, Editor-in-Chief and Entertainment “The Daily Bugle” Columnist). Please keep an eye out for our annual newsletter to stay up to date with our top articles written by student journalists. 

Lastly, The Talon’s new website is the cover article of The Manchester Times for the week of October 15th. Both Editors of The Talon were quoted in the article with Kohan stating, “the new and improved website is exciting to say the least. It’s a new school year with a new website, the possibilities for articles are endless. As the Editor-in-Chief and a senior, starting my final year in high school with The Talon is refreshing with all the new faces in the program. I can’t wait to see how the students in the program express their voices this year and leave their legacy.” Beat Writer, Joe Migliaccio, and Food Critic/Assistant Editor were featured as well. Check out the full article, https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/manchester/high-school-journalism-students-revamp-news-website/

As always, I can not express my gratitude enough for all the support of the MTHS Communications and Journalism Program we have received as we launched the new website. Everyone, along with myself, in the program can not thank you all enough.