Harbinger Hosts First Student Poetry Slam by Courtney Budden

When I was in High School, I was the editor-in-chief of our school's literary magazine, Harbinger. In years past, the club of students that worked on the magazine only read and approved literature for publication. I wanted to make the group more active. One of the things we did to make that so was to host Poetry Slams. This article, which was printed in Crossroads, the school's newspaper, quotes me on the Poetry Slam.

Literary Magazine Displays Wide Array of Creativity by Courtney Budden

This article was published in my high school's newspaper, Crossroads. Since it quoted my discussing the literary magazine I was the editor in chief of, I wanted to post it on my blog. Published November 2, 2001.

Let the Voters and Readers Decide

This was a letter to the editor I wrote to my high school's newspaper, Crossroads. Basically I was saying that student government should deal with more substantial issues. I think I should have included better examples of what student government should do. Student government should deal with lowering tuition, fighting for student free speech, opposing the army recruiters in the cafeteria, and other progressive causes.

Artists Corner

These were published in Crossroads, my high school's newspaper. While I was not credited, I took these pictures and conducted these interviews.

May 25, 2001

March 30, 2001.

Audio Pollution Cleans the Air with Exit

This article was published in the May 25, 2001 issue of Crossroads, the newspaper of my high school.

That Hand Thing with Fr. Bob

So I don't remember this, but apparently at some high school assembly, I did some goofy fist pump/handshake with our school's president, Fr. Bob. I probably intended it as a goofy way of mocking the seriousness and formality of school assemblies. It ended up in the May 25, 2001 issue of Crossroads, my high school's newspaper. Apparently it was considered the most memorable moment of the year. I still run into people I went to high school with at parties who remind me of that moment.

Your Move: Chess Club Makes Debut in Alumni Memorial

This article was printed in the May 25, 2001 issue of Crossroads, my high school's newspaper.

Crossroads Photo Editor Pictures

I was the photo editor for the student newspaper of my high school, Crossroads. As photo editor, I had to take photos for a number of articles and stories, which I did not particularly care for. I thought I would include them all here as I consider them part of the public record. I have tried to put the photos I am more proud of near the top. There are two criteria to keep in mind- the content and the actual photography. Some these photos look great, but have terrible content. Others, great content but terrible photography. Some are terrible in both ways, or great in both ways.

May 26, 2001. This photo just rocks.

February 28, 2001. We heard about this car crash and I went running outside to get this photo.

February 28, 2001. I went to the upper balcony and waited to get a good photo of the girls playing basketball.


December 1, 2000. So I asked this teacher, Mr. Cannuli, to pose for the photo, and he literally jumped into the pile of clothes. He was kind of a nut.

March 30, 2001. I did not have the newspaper's camera, so I used a cheap home camera, and that's why it came out so dark. Otherwise it would be a great action shot.

January 3, 2001. This photo came out looking pixelated, but it was actually a good shot, and the Crossroads staff decided it was the photo of the year.

Seniors Issue May 2001.

April 26, 2001. This priest used be be a Lutheran minister, and was married, then when he converted, the Church allowed him to become a priest and stay married. I remember I was freaking out because we lost the newspapers camera and needed to use a cheap home camera for this photo.

May 25, 2001

May 25, 2001.

May 25, 2001

May 25, 2001.

April 26, 2001.

April 26, 2001

April 26, 2001.

March 30, 2001.

March 30, 2001.

December 1, 2000


December 1, 2000.

March 30, 2001. This photo came out way too dark.

December 1, 2000. They would not let me take a photo of the detention serving students faces so we had them turn their desks around and took the photo.

May 25, 2001.

January 31, 2001

January 31, 2001

January 31, 2001


February 28, 2001

February 28, 2001

May 25, 2001.

February 28, 2001

February 28, 2001.

April 26 2001

April 26 20001

April 26 2001. Yes, an empty parking spot.

Indie Band Contest 2

These were the rules and winners of the second annual Indie Band contest as published in Crossroads, my high school's newspaper.

January 31, 2001

April 26, 2001

Students Rate New Britney 'Wanna-be'

This was an article I wrote for my high school newspaper, Crossroads. Published April 26, 2001.

Jazz Groups Invade Florida

This was written for the April 26, 2001 issue of Crossroads, my high school's newspaper.

Cheerleaders, Poms Unite with Successful Season

This was the one time one of my articles made it to the front page of Crossroads, the newspaper of my high school, published March 30, 2001. Here's a lesson in high school newspaper politics. I wrote several front page material articles, but the news editor, was not interested in them. Then there was a controversy. An article was published about the Cheerleaders. There had been an age old rivalry between the Cheerleaders and Pom Pom Squad. The Poms members were complaining about this lack of coverage. I decided to volunteer to do a story about the Poms. I wanted to set the example of equal coverage so I wanted to include news on the Cheerleaders in the story. The news editor was friends with members of the Cheerleaders. So one of my stories finally got to the front page. Needless to say, while I was happy to have my article on the front page, I found the shameless patronage exhibited by this editor desicable. We would clash later as to who would be editor in chief of the paper. I was willing to do something where we would each be co-editors in chief. She opposed the idea and wanted it all to herself. She got the position and I went on to be editor-in-chief of the literary magazine. I was and still am furious at that editor.

Entries Announced for 2001 Indie Band Contest

This article was published in the March 30, 2001 issue of Crossroads, my high school's newspaper.

String Ensemble Strikes a Chord

This was an article I wrote for my high school newspaper, Crossroads. Published February 28, 2001.

Malmsteen Produces a 'Flopping Force'

This was an album review I wrote for my high school's newspaper, Crossroads. It was published January 31, 2001.

Polar Party Reveives Cold Reviews

This was an article I wrote for my high school newspaper, Crossroads. Published January 31, 2001.