The Phoenix Press
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The Phoenix Press is an independent newspaper in Bell Gardens, California. It is the brainchild of current and former reporters and editors of the Lancer Scroll in Bell Gardens High School. Currently the paper runs bi-weekly in a 1 page back to back newsletter format. While the majority of the circulation and articles are directed towards students and teachers of Bell Gardens High School, the Phoenix Press claims no affiliation with the school, instead aligning itself with the city of Bell Gardens and its neighboring area. Because of this, the Phoenix Press does not receive any sanctioned school funds. Instead it is funded by those who work on it and by private donations.
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[edit] Beginnings
The birth of the Phoenix Press lies in large part with its staff's previous work on the Lancer Scroll. Nearly all of the staff members were at one point or are still part of Bell Gardens High School's school newspaper, The Lancer Scroll. However, many of the Phoenix Press staff grew frustrated with the way the Lancer Scroll was directing itself into. Frustrations, tensions and an underlying feeling of resent on both sides led to some Lancer Scroll staff members to quit, namely Cesar Huerta and Natalia Rodriguez. The initial resignation of Huerta and Rodriguez coupled with the mass support of various Lancer Scroll alumnus led to the creation of the Bell Gardens Phoenix Press.
[edit] Behind The Name
The name Phoenix Press finds its roots in the mythology of the Phoenix. When Huerta and Rodriguez were still a part of the Lancer Scroll, upon working on the first 2006-2007 issue, they discovered that the new direction of the Lancer Scroll totally disregarded the teachings and the standards that Lancer Scroll had become known for in years past. This "new" Lancer Scroll that was being imposed by the new Editors in Chief did not sit well Huerta, Rodriguez and various staff members. In turn their dislike of the new style was considered to have a negatory effect on the Lancer Scroll.
With tensions rising after the release of the first issue, Huerta consulted with ex editor-in-chief Javier Solorzano and ex-sports editor Emilio Vargas on the possible creation of a new independent newspaper that would utilize and re-ignite the signature style of journalism that saw its virtual end after the Cabrera/Solorzano years.
The re-introduction of this "vintage" Lancer Scroll style of journalism was seen as the "rebirth" of the older Lancer Scroll, a direct inspiration of the mythological rebirth of the burning Phoenix. The name Phoenix Press was selected as a tribute to the inspiration for the rebirth theme the Phoenix Press had adopted.
[edit] Backlash
The creation of the Phoenix Press sparked a bit of controversy between Lancer Scroll and its reporters who had chosen to contribute to both Lancer Scroll and Phoenix Press. Reporters who chose to write for both papers were seen as traitors by some. Some methods to regulate the contributions for multiple papers were considered but never imposed, as the tensions eventually died out after the first issue of the Phoenix Press was distributed in October of 2006.
[edit] Style and Format
The format of the Phoenix Press is that of a bi-weekly newsletter. Each issue consists of one sheet of paper with articles on both sides. The lack of pages is a direct result of the paper's lack of funding aside from that of the staff members and private donations.
The style of the articles and stories on the Phoenix Press is primarily made up of editorial and opinionated pieces meant to kickstart and motivate critical discussion, planning and thinking within the community of Bell Gardens and Bell Gardens High School.
Another goal of the Phoenix Press is to utilize the motivated discussion and thinking to inspire readers to serve as outside contributors through discussion boards online in hopes of creating a deeper connection between readers and the paper.
