WORK, WORK, WORK. Each month., the Leaf staff works hard to produce the month’s Leaf, featuring talented students who write articles, design pages, and copy edit the final product. Meghan Digiovanna, 11, works strenuously on her semester project, which includes writing and designing a page. “Our semester projects are a lot of the times used in The Leaf itself. These pages typically show off our best work,” said Digiovanna, 11.

A PAGE TELLS IT ALL. In the process of putting together the news magazine, staffers utilize a style sheet. The “Holy Grail” of the designing process, the style sheet outlines an example page for the Leaf, outlining specific fonts, sizes, and formats that help the Leaf look coherent and cohesive. “If you are asked to complete a page and do not know where to start, the style sheet is the first place we go,” said Digiovanna.

SHEDDING LIGHT. Staffers and editors alike not only put together pages, but must make sure the pages highlight the most proximal, timely, and prominent stories. In-depth stories and interviews alike require hard work, discipline and a certain drive staffers learn to have. “As an editor and even as just a staff writer, this class is an extracurricular activity in itself. We spend long days and nights outside of school to create something worth reading,” said Benjamin Ruskin, 12.

WALL OF FAME. Each month, after an issue is completed, it is bundled, stuffed with advertisements, and sent out to each ACE bell for reading. Not only that, but staffers hang their accomplishments on the wall by hanging up each month’s cover, which represents visually the issue’s cover story. “Every month when that shipment of freshly printed paper arrives, it feels great. Seeing our work come to life is the true reward for our hard work,” said Ruskin.

IN THE END. When all is said and done, the final issue is critiqued by every staffer, who outlines the good and the bad pieces of the issue. Through staff and audience critiques alike, the Leaf does their best to improve for next time. “We have had a lot of criticism in the past, but I think we do a good job at taking the criticism and making something better come out of it,” said Yvanna Reyes, 11.

BUSY BEES ONCE AGAIN. Almost as quick as the previous issue is finished, a new month comes along, and work seems to never cease for The Leaf’s staff. Yasmine Guidera, Adhiti Chundur, and Sydney Evans, 11, are editors on staff, working in each of their disciplines almost constantly. “The craziness never calms here in Room 115. We are always busy, but the people and the product keep me coming back,” said Guidera.