Job shadow finds ‘variety’ of duties at the Mascot

The youth of today rarely read an actual newspaper because of the digital era we now live in.

So it's refreshing to see a high student interested in the newspaper industry.

Cecilia Rabaey, a senior at Minneota High School and the daughter of Fred and Margrit Rabaey, has been learning the ropes of the newspaper industry by job shadowing at the Mascot since early September for her On the Job elective.

"I'm really interested in English and that's what I plan to go to college for," said Rabaey, who has been accepted into the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND.

"They have a very good English program there," Rabaey noted.

Mascot Staff member Brittany Moorse has been closely working with Rabaey for about 45 minutes each day.

"Having Cecilia job shadow here at the Mascot has been such a fun experience for all," said Moorse.

"I have truly enjoyed being able to work with her over the past few weeks." One of the areas Rabaey has been assigned to is the "75, 50 and 25 years ago" column that appears each week in which pertinent news that occurred in and around Minneota in those time periods is reprinted.

For that column, Rabaey peruses back issues and gathers what she feels are interesting topics and retypes them for the current issue. "It's interesting because I've recognized some names from the past," Rabaey noted.

During Homecoming, Rabaey took several photos of the festivities that were used in a recent issue of the Mascot. She has also taken some photos for National Honor Society induction, NHS blood drive and the St. Edward's marathon.

She also has worked on editing photos with Adobe Photoshop.

"I've really enjoyed working with Brittany," Rabaey said.

Moorse also has Rabaey working on press releases that are sent to the paper, as well as smaller stories like National Honor Society and FFA results.

"We've worked on a variety of different things like proofreading," Moorse said.

"Cecilia is also in charge of gathering the information for me to use for the Student of the Week ad."

"I’ve shown her a little on how I update the website and we’ve been putting together small articles. With the articles, I’ve shown her how to do it, and I switched spots with her and had her put one together from start to finish."

Moorse also plans on eventually showing Rabaey how to put ads together and then place them on the website and also to paginate them for the paper. Rabaey enjoys writing and is looking forward to learning how to prepare and interview for a story.

She has also been challenged by this reporter to find a story on her own that she feels would be of interest to Mascot readers.

She readily accepted the challenge.

"Cecilia is a bright young lady that has the willingness to learn and try new things," Moorse said.

"It seems every day the time just flies by with her here." Rabaey will continue her On the Job elective until the semester ends at the school's Christmas break.

"I would like to see if I can continue throughout the year," she said. And you can put that in writing.