1. Brian
WILSON
248.705.0462 bwilson3560@gmail.com @wilsob01 www.linkedin.com/in/bwilson3560

2. Brian 18180 Ottieway Court Holly, MI 48442 248.705.0462 bwilson3560@gmail.com
Objective
To find a career pathway in which I can utilize my creativity, leadership and passion for teamwork
Qualifications
• Experienced, award-winning high school teacher and publications adviser
• Coordinator, Waterford Kettering High School Academic Center
• Journalism Eduction Association Liaison to the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
• JEA Chair, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association
• Mentor to new journalism advisers in Michigan and to intern teachers
Experience/Education
1997-present
Teacher, Waterford Kettering High School
Yearbook (Highly Qualified)
Adviser of award-winning, self-sufficient full-color yearbook
Newspaper (Highly Qualified)
Adviser of award-winning, self-sufficient, monthly student newspaper
Monthly print edition, online version at murmurnews.com
Language Arts (Highly Qualified)
Advanced Placement Language and Composition
Ninth grade literature and composition
Co-curricular with social studies/civics
Eleventh grade American and British Literature
Creative Writing
2013-present Adjunct Design Professor, Michigan State University
2013-present Faculty Adviser, Washington Journalism and Media Conference
George Mason University
2000-present Workshop Instructor, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Summer Journalism Workshop
Michigan State University
2008 Intern Reporter, The Flint Journal
2008-2010 Adjunct Professor of English and Journalism, Oakland Community College
2002-2003 Masters Degree, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg MS
English Education
1992-1996 Bachelors Degree, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI
Major: Journalism, Minor: English
• 2014 Newspaper editor Chris Habba named to the All-State Journalism Staff
• 2013 Yearbook editor Dixxon Darlington named to the All-State Journalism Staff
• 2010 Newspaper editor Liz Sawyer named to the All-State Journalism Staff
• 2010 Student teaching intern Jesse McLean named JEA’s ‘Future Teacher of the Year’ scholarship winner
• 2007 Yearbook editor Brianna White named Michigan yearbook student of the year
• 2007 Newspaper editor Jayna Salk named to the All-State Journalism Staff
• Yearbook named Spartan award winner in seven of past 13 years
• Yearbook named to NSPA “Best of Show” three times
• Yearbook featured in NSPA “Best of the High School Press” three times
• Yearbook featured in Herff-Jones “Ideas that Fly”, 2009, 2010
• Newspaper named Spartan award winner in five of last seven years
• Newspaper named to NSPA “Best of Show” twice
• Online newspaper, murmurnews.com only newspaper in Michigan to win three Spartan awards, 2013, 2014
• Adobe InDesign Creative Suite
• Adobe Photoshop Creative Suite
• Wordpress, Soundslides, Vuvox
• GradeQuick, Discovery Grading/Attendance programs
• iLife Suite (iPhoto, iMovie, Keynote)
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook
• Dow Jones National Special Recognition Newspaper Adviser, 2014
• Waterford School District Teacher of the Year, 2013
• National Distinguished Yearbook Adviser, 2011
• Winner of the Golden Pen, Michigan’s journalism adviser of the year, 2009
• Nominated for Waterford Teacher of the Year, 2006, 2010, 2013
• President, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA) 2004-2006
• First Vice-President, MIPA 2003-2004
• Trustee, MIPA 2002-2003
• Journalism teacher mentor, MIPA, 2004-present
• Adviser, Canon-NFL Experience Super Bowl photography workshop, February 4, 2006
• Detroit News Teacher of the week, March 7-11, 2005
• Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers selection, 2002-2003
• NCA committee chair, English Department 1998-2001
• Cultural Diversity Workshop, 1997
• Premier School Agendas “Agenda Facilitator Workshop,” 1998
• Professional Learning Communities facilitator, 2002-2003
• Curriculum Leader, Kettering High School 2000-2003
• Co-Chair, Curriculum Leader Committee, Waterford School District, 2002-2003
• Advisory Panelist, first-year teacher workshop 2002-2005
• Herff-Jones summer yearbook workshop instructor, 2000, 2011-present
• Ball State summer Journalism workshop instructor 2006-2009
• Michigan newspaper/yearbook judge, MIPA, 2001-present
• Presenter, Indiana High School Press Association Fall Conference, 2005, 2010
• Presenter, National Scholastic Press Association Fall Conference, 2004-Present
• Presenter, National Scholastic Press Association Spring Conference, 2006-Present
• Presenter, Kettering High School Senior awards ceremony, 1998-present
• Presenter, Kettering High School underclassmen awards ceremony, 2001-present
• Publications critic:
o Columbia Scholastic Press Association, 2003-2004
o Georgia Press Association, 2003
o University Interscholastic League (Texas) 2004
o Great Lakes Interscholastic Press Association 2007
o Kansas Press Association, 2013
• Adviser, Kettering Literary Magazine, 1998
• Ninth grade baseball coach, 2003-2005
• Class sponsor, 2002-2004
• Powder-puff football coach 2002-2004
• Photography club sponsor, 2005-2010
Student Achievements/Honors
Personal Achievements/Honors
Other Experiences
Skills
WILSON
References
Frank LoMonte, Esq.
Executive Director
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Boulevard,
Suite 1100
Arlington, VA 22209-2211
703.807.1904 ext 121
flomonte@splc.org
Mark Newton
JEA President
Mountain Vista High School
10585 Mountain Vista Ridge
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
303.387.1500
themarknewton@gmail.com
Cheryl Pell
Former Executive Director,
Michigan Interscholastic Press
Assoc.
305 Comm Arts Building, MSU
East Lansing, MI 48824
517.353.6767
pell@msu.edu
Steve Garrison
Assistant Principal
Waterford Kettering High School
2800 Kettering Dr.
Waterford, MI 48329
517.304.6917
garriS01@wsdmi.org

3. 1. I was honored at halftime of a soccer game
with 2014 grad and newspaper editor-in-chief
Jake Alessi as his nominee for “Most Influential
Teacher”. 2. I evaluated statewide yearbook
pages at the Michigan Interscholastic Press
Association’s spring Judging Day. 3. As the
drummer in our teacher rock band, “Masthead,”
I performed at a summer journalism workshop
for 400 students. 4. I congratulate a student in
my 2014 summer workshop class for winning a
‘Sparty’ award. 5. Pausing during a yearbook
editor-in-chief class I teach at the MIPA sum-
mer workshop. 6. Presenting a session on the
“Waterford Journalism Experience” program
at the Journalism Education Association’s fall
convention in Washington, D.C. 7. Critiquing a
newspaper for Mason High School’s staff at the
MIPA fall conference. 8. Jumping for joy as part
of our class picture at a summer workshop. 9.
Teaching a session on feature writing to a group
of elementary students in our school district, as
part of the Waterford Journalism Experience
in March, 2014. 10. A speech I gave when
receiving the Golden Pen award as Michigan’s
top scholastic journalism adviser in 2009. This
nomination was put together entirely by students
on my publications staff.
I am now an Associate Producer on this year’s best new talk
show, The Queen Latifah Show. Being a part of yearbook
and newspaper allowed me to explore my creative side and
develop the skills I would need to move out to the west coast
and succeed in Los Angeles. YOUR CLASSES HELPED ME
UNDERSTAND HOW TO WORK UNDER PRESSURE
AND THRIVE ON DEADLINES. Something I do every day
in my current position! You also gave us the freedom to be
self motivated and take pride in our work. Self discipline is a
necessary skill in my current position and it all started from your
classes. -Carly Grose, 2005
Asking an 18-year old to decide what to do with the rest
of their life is a difficult task, but I did get some awesome
inspiration from a particular high school English/yearbook
teacher to GET OUT THERE IN THE WORLD AND
TAKE RISKS, and find something to be passionate about.
This journey helped me discover that I wanted to work with
teens, specifically doing prevention education about dating
violence and sexual assault, and am thrilled to have found a
job doing just this as a Sexual Assault Educator for a non-profit
in Saginaw. -Dana Houston, 2009
It was your experience and class that furthered my desire to
design and write as I studied in college and in sports. I won
numerous awards for written pieces and advertising spots in
college competitions and I moved my career into the direction
of marketing and sports because of this. I worked on marketing
pieces for my last job and took over all of the PR related work
as a personal interest. I then moved to my current role where
I run all of the social media activity for GroupGolfer.com and
am responsible for course write ups, all PR related releases and
online marketing material. I AM INCREDIBLY THANKFUL
TO HAVE BEEN PART OF YEARBOOK AT SUCH A
YOUNG AGE and truly appreciate all that you and your
program has done for my creativity and career! -Chelsea
Prudhomme, 2004
Working for the Murmur sparked something inside of me — a
curiosity about life that only increases the more I write about
and interact with people. It awarded me the opportunity to
blog about the working class for Time.com when I was only a
teenager, intern in NYC and Virginia, and accept a gig at the
Minneapolis Star Tribune for after graduation. It seems silly to
think that a high school paper set the track for my entire life,
but it did. JOINING YOUR STAFF EIGHT YEARS AGO
WAS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION I
EVER MADE. -Liz Sawyer, 2009
Being in newspaper gave my writing schools a boost that
I badly needed and helped me to take my own short story
writing and develop an originally one page idea into a ten
page story. YOU TAUGHT ME THAT EVEN MY WORST
FIRST DRAFT WILL LEAD TO A BEAUTIFUL FINISHED
PIECE, to take risks with my writing style to see what I liked
and what worked, and the ability to write a story that more
people can feel. It taught me also, to think outside the box,
and get out of my comfort zone, and now I can imagine, hear
really, a story about anything. -Jennifer Labarge, 2013
I think it took me a little while to figure out exactly why I was so
drawn to your classes in high school. Aside from the numerous
twenty-first century skills you taught me, I’m incredibly grateful
to you for being the first adult in my life to treat me like an adult
capable of making choices about my own writing and my own
creative directions. In your classes, I WAS ALLOWED TO
FAIL AS LONG AS I LEARNED SOMETHING FROM
THE EXPERIENCE. I became enthralled with the idea of my
words causing changes in my school, community and world.
It was the first time that I realized that my opinions weren’t any
less valid than the opinions of the adults around me. I took
those powerful moments and experiences with me when I went
to college. I studied journalism and English education because
I wanted to inspire students the way you had me. Now, I am
teaching Yearbook and English at Troy High School. You are
the inspiration behind my career choices and EVERY SINGLE
DAY I THINK ABOUT HOW I CAN MORE CLOSELY
EMULATE YOU IN MY OWN CLASSES. -Jayna Salk,
2007
I graduated in December and have a job as the Concerts
Assistant in the School of Music at Western Michigan
University. Part of my job includes writing press releases for
School of Music events. If it weren’t for my time on staff, I
wouldn’t have so many of the skills I require for this job. More
than just proofreading and writing, I have good design chops
and InDesign experience that I use daily. I couldn’t have done
that without my time on the Murmur. I got to write the press
release for my Carnegie Hall debut. That was pretty awesome.
You are an amazing teacher, and I’LL NEVER FORGET THE
EXPERIENCES I HAD AND THE LESSONS I LEARNED
IN YOUR CLASSROOM. -Allie Shiner, 2009
YOU PUSHED ME, YOU SUPPORTED ME, BUT
OVERALL YOU ENCOURAGED ME! I’m thankful I had
the opportunity to be your student for 3 years and have the
amazing experience of being an editor. I didn’t know how
lucky I was when I was in 501! -Billie Gorman, 2010
IT’S ABOUT BUILDING A TEAM
1
2
3
4
5
109
7
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6

4. PROUDACCOMPLISHMENTS[THUSFAR]
wage
murmur
raise
work
fun
16Working Wages
Senior Haley Lonnemo works two jobs and seven
days a week to help her family make ends meet, but
she is still a full time student. She’s not the only one.
Volume 12, Issue 1
October 16, 2014
page
employment
Photo by Taylor Skelton
Photo illustration by Alexea Hankin and Kristin Warholak
MURMUR
You’ve probably eaten them, but have no idea
what they are or how they affect you.
GMOs
Volume 11, Issue 5
April 3, 2014
p. 16
Photo Illustration by Jacob Alessi, Christopher Habba, & Jordan Fujarski
MURMUR
Sean Reno lost nearly
100 pounds and his life,
all due to a distorted
body image fueled by
anorexia.
Volume 11, Issue 4
February 14, 2014
96lbs.
Photo Illustration by Jacob Alessi, Chris Habba, & Jordan Fujarski
The Murmur is the student newspaper at Waterford
Kettering High School, AND IS AN OPEN-FORUM
FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION. The 32-page
publication is produced monthly, entirely by a student
staff trained in journalistic writing, photography, design,
and journalistic ethics. The reporters tackle issues that
engage a student audience and our community in a
powerful way.
community
1 1book
Join Waterford students, teachers, and community
in reading Jeanette Ingold’s ‘Paper Daughter.’read.
discuss.
learn.
Discover how the book resonates with
you and join a discussion group.
Information coming soon on writing and art
contests, and a visit from the author!
Events kick off March 22 with an assembly at Kettering High School
Find more info at waterford.k12.mi.us
Become a fan on Facebook: Waterford One Book
Or just take a picture of this QR code with a smartphone barcode reader!
..
.
PaPER
DaughterBy Jeanette Ingold
.
For three years I was in charge of our school’s ‘One
Book One School’ program, where ALL OF OUR
COMMUNITY CHOSE A BOOK TO READ AND
DISCUSS. Twice we had the authors actually come
speak to our student body: Jeanette Ingold, author of
‘Paper Daughter’ and Darin Strauss, author of ‘Half-a-Life
visited to interact with the students, both in large groups
and in writer’s workshop settings.
I had an interest in
writing, sure, but I was
focused on pursuing a
career in game design.
It doesn’t always go
quite the way you
think it will. Since then
I have become a game
designer; however, along
the way I also became
a freelance writer with
articles published
in several different
magazines, and part of
a semi-successful rock
band who did all of their
own management and
content generation.
Deciding to join the
yearbook and journalism
staffs when I did gave
me a huge advantage
in the job market and
with the unexpected
opportunities that still
come along the way.
Morgan Brown
Kismet Yearbook staff
Waterford Kettering High School
Class of 2001
[it’s not just for rock stars anymore]
OURNALISM.
J [learn to cover the action. Or actually be part of it]
OURNALISM.
I learned a great deal
as the managing
editor of the Carlson
yearbook staff. This
role helped to prepare
me for my life after
high school and
now in my current
career. Being the
managing editor
definitely allowed me
to enhance my writing
and communication
skills. Furthermore,
the position helped
me to become a
more disciplined and
organized individual.
These traits and
values that I gained
while working in a
team setting with the
yearbook staff have
undoubtedly helped
me to be a better
athletics administrator
in a team setting with
the Michigan State
football program.
Brad Lunsford
Ebb Tide yearbook staff
Carlson High School
Class of 2000
J
Want more info on the
value of scholastic journalism?
visit mipamsu.org
OURNALISM.
I am a Project Engineer with Product Manage-
ment Medium Tactical Vehicles and the lead
engineer for Warfighter Support - meaning
anything having to do with Iraq, Afghanistan,
and Kuwait. This involves designing and test-
ing armor, fielding kits to continuously improve
survivability and safety, and fielding new armor
trucks. I am Acting Assistant Program Manager
for Warfighter Support, which requires risk
mitigation and tradeoffs for cost, schedule, and
performance.
Journalism has helped me in many ways, with
the obvious aspect of writing, but also with
many other factors that come into play, like
time management, mentoring, and budgeting.
I have had to write papers and briefings and
present them to upper management, both on
the Army and the civilian side. Without the help
of journalism, my reports would lack the profes-
sionalism required in this position.
I was the editor-in-chief of the yearbook my
senior year of high school. This gave me the op-
portunity to manage people and a project, and
keep a schedule and budget. I am continually
having to do this in my current position. With
the budget cuts lately, funding is exception-
ally tight. Management of funds became more
important than performance. And of course
scheduling is always an important element
since it affects the warfighters' safety and well-
being. I do not think that I would have ad-
vanced this far without the opportunities that
journalism gave me.
Carly Goward
Kismet Yearbook staff
Waterford Kettering High School
Class of 2001
When I signed up for journalism as a sophomore
I had no idea it would be an advantage in my
future career. I just wanted to graduate high
school with the minimum number of math
credits to get into art school. Twelve years after
graduation I have produced television series for
a variety of networks including [adult swim].
Journalism taught me to work together with
a team to produce a product we could all be
proud of. My year as newspaper editor taught
me to manage, lead and protect a group of
artists and writers who depended on me. These
are the most important aspects of my job as a
producer.
I wouldn't be where I am today without the
skills I learned in journalism.
Rachel Simon
The Vantage Point
Newspaper staff
Hudsonville High School
Class of 1999
[can take you from the high school newsroom
to the television control room]
J
Want more info on the
value of scholastic journalism?
visit mipamsu.org
J[it just might be your ticket to a fancy new ride]
OURNALISM.
IamaProjectEngineerandtheleadengineer
for Warfighter Support - meaning anything
having to do with Iraq, Afghanistan, and
Kuwait. This involves designing and testing
armor, fielding kits to continuously improve
survivability and safety, and fielding new
armor trucks.
Journalism has helped me in many ways,
from time management to mentoring
to budgeting. I have had to write papers
and briefings and present them to upper
management, both on the Army and the
civilian side.Without the help of journalism,
my reports would lack the professionalism
required in this position.
Being editor-in-chief of the yearbook gave
me the opportunity to manage people and
a project, and keep a schedule and budget.
I am continually having to do this in my
current position. Of course scheduling is
alwaysanimportantelementsinceitaffects
safety and well-being. I would not have
advanced this far without the opportunities
that journalism gave me.
Carly Goward
Warrior Yearbook staff
Utica High School
Class of 2000
Want more info on the
value of scholastic journalism?
visit mipamsu.org
[nothing looks better on applications and résumés]
OURNALISM.
Being on The Zebra
Print newspaper
staff in high school
helped me excel in
college. Not only did
my writing improve
drastically, but I
also learned better
communication and
time-management
skills. It taught me
early on how to be
responsible when
interviewing, how
important deadlines
are, and it gave me an
idea of what the real
world of journalism is
like.
As I’ve completed
internships and
gone through job
interviews, employers
are still impressed
that I was the editor
of my high school
newspaper.
Erica Perdue
Zebra Print newspaper staff
Wayne Memorial High School
Class of 2008
J
Want more info on the
value of scholastic journalism?
visit mipamsu.org
A few years ago I created a state-wide poster series featuring adults who were
involved in journalism programs as teenagers. I asked them to provide a photo
and some information about what they ended up doing for a career, and had
them write about how BEING A MEMBER OF A PUBLICATION STAFF
HELPED THEM IN THEIR CHOSEN PROFESSION. Morgan Brown
[pictured below left] was a member of my yearbook staff in 2001.
6. Seek out boring writing. And then destroy it.
An easy tip: whenever you see the word ‘there’,
immediately rewrite the sentence to eliminate it.
And if you really love using the phrase “In the book,
it says...” Well, I’m sure you’re a very nice person,
but I can’t take you seriously.
7. Utilize transitions. Great writing is all about
flow. You’ve got to get your reader from point A
to point B, and you’ve got to do it smoothly. The
writing should SOUND natural, even if it took a
tremendous effort to produce it.
8. Find an audience. The best writers are writing
FOR someone, and it’s usually not their English
teachers. Pretend that everything you produce is
going to get published. If YOU think your writing is
boring, you’re undoubtedly right.
9. Be concise. Look, we all know you think
you’re cool because you can write a baloney-
filled four-page-essay about nothing, just by
stringing together a bunch of words. None of us
are impressed. The quickest way to make a point
is always the best way. Dump your wordiness and
actually SAY something.
10. Rewrite. And then rewrite again. And then
probably again. Nothing is more important. Realize
that your first draft is SUPPOSED to stink. The
problem is, most people stop at that point, which
means their final drafts stink too. CRAFT your
sentences so that they are as effective as possible.
can you be a great
writer
OK, so you might ‘get’ writing.
You might even consider yourself a pretty decent writer.
But that’s not good enough.
10 steps to help you get there
?brian wilson • waterford (mi) kettering high school
1. Engage the reader. It’s crucial, especially at
the beginning. Tell a story to illustrate your thesis,
BEFORE your thesis. But DON’T pretend to be
Noah Webster (“Webster’s dictionary defines
motivation as...”) or John Lennon (“Imagine getting
up an hour later every day...”). Way too cliche.
2. Read it outloud. When you HEAR your writing,
you catch problems that you won’t if you just
read it in your head. You need to hear it to fully
understand what you’ve done wrong. And if you
realize you can say it better, then FIX it.
3. Answer the question... You can’t just write
ABOUT the topic. You’ve got to have a point. And
then you’ve got to ADDRESS that point. If you end
up with some sentences that don’t advance your
thesis, get rid of them.
4. ...But don’t ASK a bunch of questions.
Seriously, your writing immediately gets better
when you turn questions into statements. Amateur
writers use questions as crutches; they ask and
then they answer. Your readers aren’t supposed to
be answering questions. YOU are.
5. Realize punctuation matters. Way more than
you think it does. Serious writers desperately want
their readers to read their work the RIGHT WAY.
That means pausing and emphasizing in all the
right spots. Sorry, but you’ve got to understand
commas and semicolons. You don’t have to LIKE
them. You just need to WORK with them.
I created a writing poster that was
utilized by the English department
in our district. As an AP Language
& Composition teacher and
journalism adviser, I WANT MY
STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO FEEL
EMPOWERED by writing for an
audience and publishing their work.
Litho
Silkscreen
Embossed
Special Instructions:
Paper Stock: 80# Gloss
Number of Pages: 144
1 1/8”Spine Size
Size 8
Job Number: 13827 CS/WIN
School Name: Waterford Kettering High School
Herff Jones
Custom Cover Template
anniversary collection of alumni profiles
th
waterford kettering | 2012
the
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50wk
the50thanniversarycollectionofalumniprofiles|waterfordkettering|2012
wk | 10 11 | wk
hank longo | 1979
profile by jenna blankenship photo credit to photographer
When most people look back on their high school
career, certain events stand out. Everyone seems to
remember dances, scandals and sports.
Even more specifically when the students of the late
‘60s look back on their high school days they definitely
remember the sporting events; especially the basketball
games.
Every class has a class act or student who is just a
hoot to be around. In his time at Kettering, the late ‘60s,
Hank Longo was that kid. He was the prototypical class
clown.
“I could have been a better student, rather than
always being a comedian,” said Longo.
EveryonewhowasatKetteringatthetimeremembers
Longo as the first person breaking through the banner
at the basketball games. Of course, the only catch was
the fact that Longo didn’t actually play basketball, and
the banner was that of the opposing team
His antics always kept his classmates laughing, but
he had an ulterior motive as well.
“First, I would bet everyone in the stands a dollar that
I would break through the other team’s banner,” said
Longo describing his strategy. “Then I would tell all the
guys on the other team that I was the photographer for
Kettering and that I wanted the perfect picture of them
breaking through their banner. They all thought this was
awesome and agreed to signal me when they were
about to make there descent to the banner. As soon as
they gave the signal though, I would run in front of them
and break through first!”
Longo eventually had to pay when all the guys on
the other team chucked basketballs at him, but it was
worth the laugh; cashing in on it wasn’t a bad perk,
either.
On multiple occasions Longo would take the
opportunity to make bets with his classmates. One of
the most memorable was at his very last big hoorah
at Waterford Kettering: the commencement ceremony.
“I went down the line of my graduating class and had
everyone give me a dollar to bet me to kiss Principal Fry
on both cheeks when he handed me my diploma,” said
Longo.
Sure enough Longo followed through.
He never disappointed when it came to pranks. But
he was also known for his success in athletics, even
serving as captain of the ski team his senior year.
For Longo, his ski memories were among the best
he had at the school. Overall it was fun and innocent
and very successful.
“We were just a very diverse group of guys, kinda
the underdogs,” said Longo of his team. “We really
shocked everyone when we just kept winning, we were
beating everyone.”
His most memorable time at Kettering came during
one of theses ski competitions his senior year, when
they were faced powerhouse West Bloomfield.
“They were like a mini-professional team,” he said.
“Their coach was a millionaire and they had a serious
advantage over us; but somehow we beat ‘em, and it
felt so good to accomplish that.”
Everyone remembers Longo as the kid who broke
the banners, and as an awesome athlete, but could
anyone have anticipated that he would be where he is
now?
Longo is now a World Champion water skier. He
recently even broke the Men’s 6 (ages 60-64) national
jump record with a jump of 129 feet for a new record.
Longo is still skiing and setting records at age
60. He even has his own clothing line; Hank Longo
Designs, or Hanky Panky Water Ski Wear; it’s unlikely
that anyone could have predicted that. He also has
a book out about announcing sporting events. His
accomplishments would be impressive for anyone, let
alone the class clown.
He also enjoys inspiring youth by touring schools
and motivating kids to chase their dreams. Longo is no
stranger to a crowd; whether he’s public speaking or
announcing ski tournaments, his voice is always heard.
Those who remember Longo as a goofball, or even
as just another athlete, would be shocked to learn just
how immensely successful his life has been, countless
titles, records and trophies later.
The kid who started off mischievously breaking
through basketball banners ended up breaking world
records. Who’d have thought?
the man
behind the banner
For our school’s 50th anniversary,
I edited and published a book of
alumni profiles, featuring stories
on graduates from our school,
both famous and otherwise.
STUDENTS IN MY AP
CLASSES WERE ASSIGNED
THE TASK OF FINDING AN
ALUM AND WRITING THE
PROFILE, and students on my
publications staffs took photos
and worked through the design.
The hardcover, 120-page book
was featured as part of a 50th
anniversary celebration weekend.
WATERFORD
Journalismexperience
Brian Wilson, MJE, advises Kismet and The
Murmur, the yearbook and newspaper at Ket-
tering. He is also co-adviser of WaterfordDrift.
com, the online student newspaper, taught AP
Composition for seven years, and is a coordina-
tor in the Academic Center. Wilson serves as
JEA Liaison to the National Council of Teachers
of English and was president of the Michigan
Interscholastic Press Association. In 2009 he
received the Golden Pen, given to Michigan’s
top publication adviser. In 2011 he was named
a National Distinguished Yearbook Adviser. He
is the current Waterford Teacher of the Year.
Jesse Sutherland, CJE, advises Kettering’s
broadcast news program, WKHS-TV. She also
helps to advise the Drift (www.waterforddrift.
com), Kettering’s Journalism Department
website. She is the Journalism Education As-
sociation State Director for Michigan and is
the Treasurer for the Michigan Interscholastic
Press Association. Sutherland was the 2009 JEA
Future Teacher of the Year and serves on JEA’s
Digital Media Committee. She was also recently
named as a JEA“Rising Star,”a national recogni-
tion for advisers in their first five years.
Dan Krompatic advises the yearbook, Polaris,
at Mott. He also teaches the Web Design,
Networking, Programming, and AP Computer
Science classes. Krompatic has taught layout
design, photography, Photoshop and InDesign
classes at workshops around the state for the
past 13 years. Over the years his yearbook
class has earned Spartan, Gold and Silver
awards from MIPA along with numerous other
individual student awards. In 2013 Krompatic
was the Waterford School District’s high school
nominee for the Oakland County Outstanding
Teacher of the year.
Greg Morrison first began working on year-
books in 10th grade as a staff member on his
high school book. Eventually he rose through
the ranks, first becoming the sports editor, then
editor-in-chief his senior year. Since his first
exposure to yearbooks, he has always been
fascinated with multi-disciplinary media. Greg
has been the Herff Jones Yearbooks publisher’s
rep for Southeast Michigan for the past 19
years and has taught throughout the country
on design, photography, writing, video produc-
tion, and other yearbook related topics.
Brian
Wilson:
Feature Writing
Jesse
Sutherland:
Broadcasting
Dan
Krompatic:
Photoshop
Greg
Morrison:
Design
FEATURED
Speakers
Interested in finding out what it’s like
to be a TV anchor, newspaper reporter,
magazine designer or professional
photographer? Join us for this FREE
workshop designed to give Waterford’s
3rd-8th graders a taste of what it’s like to
work in journalism.
• The program will begin at 9:00 in the Farah-Miller Kiva
(LGI) at Kettering High School. Students should plan to arrive
between 9:00-9:15 to register. Students who are in 6th grade
or younger must have a parent attend as well. Students in
7th or 8th grade are not required to bring a parent but those
parents are definitely welcome to stay too!
• Students will rotate through four 40-minute sessions
on feature writing, broadcasting, PhotoShop and
publication design.
• Members of Waterford’s newspaper, broadcast, and
yearbook staffs will be on-hand to give insight into what it’s
like to work on a high school staff.
• Pizza and other refreshments will be served in
Kettering’s cafeteria following the sessions. For free! T-Shirts
will be available for $5; register for them at
waterfordDrift.com/WJE by March 10.
•Students will have opportunities to produce real world
stories, videos, and photo slideshows for Waterford’s
award-winning student news website, waterfordDrift.com.
• Please Pre-Register online at waterfordDrift.com/WJE
no later than Monday, March 10.
Saturday March 22 • 9:00 am - 1:15 pm • Kettering High School
Saturday March 22 • 9:00 am - 1:15 pm • Kettering High School
Please Register at waterfordDrift.com/WJE no later than March 10.
JOIN US FOR A
!
Schedule of Events
9:00 - 9:15 Registration: Cafeteria
9:20 - 9:40 Introduction: LGI
9:45 - 10:25 Round-Robin Session #1
10: 30 - 11:10 Round-Robin Session #2
11:15 - 11: 55 Round-Robin Session #3
12:00 - 12: 40 Round-Robin Session #4
12:45 - 1:15 Pizza Lunch: Cafeteria
WATERFORD
Journalismexperience
Interested in finding out what it’s like to be a TV anchor, newspaper
reporter, magazine designer or professional photographer? Join us
for this FREE workshop designed to give Waterford’s 3rd-8th graders a
taste of what it’s like to work in journalism. Please Pre-Register online at
waterfordDrift.com/WJE no later than Monday, March 10.
• Saturday March 22 •
• 9:00 am - 1:15 pm •
• Kettering High School •
Saturday March 22 • 9:00 am - 1:15 pm • Kettering High School
Please Register at waterfordDrift.com/WJE no later than March 10.
JOIN US FOR A
!
Last year was our first ‘Waterford
Journalism Day’, where we invited in
100 middle school and elementary
students TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A
REPORTER. I created four classes for
them and we provided press passes
and reporter’s notebooks.