214@100: The Correspondent's long, distinguished history

John Hersey High School's student newspaper has existed since the school opened in 1968. What started as a six-page monthly black-and-white publication has expanded to a 12-page monthly color publication, along with a web presence, CorrespondentLive.com. The Correspondent's name came from John Hersey's own role as a war correspondent.

Throughout the years, The Correspondent has won many national awards and is a nationally renowned newspaper. There have been only four advisers, and the current adviser, Janet Levin, has been at Hersey for 30 years.

"It's not really about the awards for us," Levin says. "The coolest thing about The Correspondent is that the student body looks to it for information they can't (or don't) get anywhere else."

The staff presents a session at the national high school newspaper convention every year, drawing a crowd interested in learning about the paper's traditions, which include alumni reunions.

"If someone was once on The Correspondent staff, no matter how old they are, they have a connection to all other staff members, previous and current," Levin said.

• 214@100 is a celebration of District 214's centennial; 100 people, places, things and events that have shaped the school district's unique history.