Hello, prospective staff!
We are so excited to welcome additional members to the clay team for the second semester! Joining clay is a great opportunity to serve the TPS community while improving your writing skills and gaining experience.
Applications are due by November 20th. You will be notified by December 1st as to whether you are accepted, and you should have your first article finished by December 26th to be published in January. Please refer to the application below for details on each position that is available, and email clay-editor@pottersschool.org with any questions or concerns.
Blessings,
Cara Pisani and Isabel Rogers
2023-2024 Senior Editors
A Note to Columnists:
Beginning in December, clay columnists write one 500-700 word article each month and submit it to their editors by the deadlines given. About a week before submission, writers will notify their editors concerning their intended topic. Depending on the column applied for, some articles may require time beyond brainstorming and writing, i.e. conducting interviews or research, so take all time requirements into account. Please don’t limit your applications to the columns we’ve listed. We are always looking for creative new ideas for a column (just include a short description of your plan when you apply).
A Note to Editors:
Editor positions are reserved for students in 10th grade or higher with an appreciation for the correct mechanics of the English language and an ability to produce constructive criticism. Editors must have ready access to and availability over email to answer columnists’ questions, receive articles and topics, and send out deadline reminder emails. We are only accepting applications for the Humor editor if there is enough interest to open this section back up. Please include a columnist position in the section for your second-choice position in case we do not reopen the Humor section.
A Note to Public Relations Team:
Public Relations applicants can apply through this link. Our Public Relations staff will post on clay’s social media accounts two to three times a week to engage with the TPS community, spread our message, and help us maintain a professional public image. We are accepting applications for Content Creators, Photographers, and a Graphic Designer. For more information, please see the separate application.
Happy applying!
THEOLOGY & WORLDVIEW
Theology & Worldview will include theological discussions, faith-strengthening arguments, and church history. We are excited to see how this column develops this semester!
Church History: Columns focusing on the historical side of the church from A.D. 50 to the present. This can include abridged biographies of early church leaders or other ideas left to the discretion of the writer. However, a balanced perspective would be necessary for the writer or writers of this section.
Apologetics: “Always be prepared to give an answer,” St. Peter told the church in his first epistle. Those words ring true today. This column is for equipping the saints to that end.
Other: If you have an original idea for a Theology & Worldview column, let us know! We’re always open to suggestions!
NEWS
The News Section will give educated analyses of recent news and cultural events, shedding light on lesser-known events to bring student awareness to current issues. It’s not intended to be a breaking news section, but rather a thoughtful look at the modern world through a Christian worldview.
Political Analysis: This column will take a non-partisan approach to the Western political sphere in a time when the political climate has become increasingly toxic. The writer will follow political trends primarily in the U.S. and other Western nations.
Science & Technology: This columnist will write engaging articles about the latest innovations in scientific and technological fields.
Other: We’d love to cover other news topics and current events, from engineering to business to sports. If you have an original idea for a News column, let us know!
ARTS & CULTURE
Combining abstract artistic pursuits with art’s technicalities and even some international culture, A&C is clay’s creative anchor.
Serial Story: This column features a unique, meaningful novella issued chapter-by-chapter. Applicants with strong creative writing skills should submit a sample story and an outline of their serial story plan for the January-May issues.
Photography: Featuring photographer interviews, technical exposés, and creative inspiration, the photography column will contain a wide range of information for both amateur and experienced TPS photographers. Applicants for this column should submit a sample article as well as examples of their own photography.
Fashion: If you have a knack for finding classy clothing, try sharing some tips with your fellow TPSers. Explore the wide variety of topics included in fashion, from girls’ and guys’ clothing to aesthetic theory to fashion history.
Theater: Covering anything from the latest on Broadway to tips for drama students, the theater columnist should be aware of current events in the theater world. Prior stage experience is a plus but not required!
Other: Feel free to apply with an original idea for an A&C column!
SPOTLIGHT
Real, creative, meaningful insight into the TPS community comes from the Spotlight Section. Columnists will use their communication skills to interview and research a variety of subjects.
Class Spotlight: This column features a wide variety of classes (Literature, Science, etc.) over the course of the year, explaining the syllabus and the learning/teaching style of the class, teacher, etc.
College & Career Spotlight: From tips for winning scholarships to unique and trending careers, this columnist will write insightful, engaging articles to help inform students about their future education. Applicants for this position must be in the 11th grade or higher.
Other: We’d love to hear any original ideas you have for the Spotlight column when you apply!
HUMOR
Everyone needs a good laugh at some point during the long school year, and the Humor section is one of the best places for TPSers to find something to chuckle at. Creative new comedy ideas are welcome!
Humor Editor: The Humor editor will organize the following columnists:
Humor Columnist: If you have a creative idea to brighten a TPSer’s day and a good sense of humor, try sharing it with the whole school through the humor column. For examples of creative humor articles, here’s a link to a humor competition from several years ago (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nckY2ZX61BGIKoVPosM_zI-YZLo6ML1r3fdzjHb_61E/edit?usp=sharing).
Cartoonist: If you have a knack for sketching and making people laugh, you might want to apply as a cartoonist. Instead of writing samples, applicants should submit two cartoon panels and an explanation of their column’s theme or characters.
Satire: We’re looking for a dry, humorless writer who can deliver such poor writing as to make us cry out in agony.
Other: If you have any other ideas for a Humor column, let us know!
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Hi! If I am already writing for clay, do I have to apply again?
Hi, Cora! There is no need for current staff to reapply 🙂
Ok, thanks!
For the Serial Story Column, what do you mean by submit a sample story? Should it be a completely separate story or part of the one I plan to outline and write?
Hi, Emma! The sample story may be the first chapter of the story you plan to write throughout the semester, or it can be a different story. The purpose is to give us an idea of what we can expect your articles to look like if accepted, so the sample should look like a draft you would submit to your editor in terms of length, structure, etc.
So similar to the “pilot” of a tv show, yes?
Hi, Ruthie! Sorry I missed this comment earlier, but yes, that’s correct!
Cool I am glad to see we may have more people on clay this should be fun. I hope we get a humor column this time around. ????
I’m thinking to apply for humor!
Good luck if you do decide to apply!! ????
Is there a minimum age for applying to clay?
Nope! We will review all applications from TPS students, regardless of age.
Hi, I can’t submit two articles in the space to submit two writing samples for being a columnist. That is why I am submitting one of my 2 through the Editors applicants space.
Thanks for letting us know.
Hello! I was wondering what the serial story column would be like? Does it mean that each month a new “chapter” would need to be released? Like a regular novel, only smaller? Sorry if this question makes zero sense, but I’m considering applying for that position and am trying to get all the information I can. Hope you are having a great day!
Thanks for asking, Ruthie. Yes, the serial story column would release a new “chapter” every month as part of a wider story. Can’t wait to see your application!
Hi! I was wondering what section a Dog-related Column would go under?
The senior editors can probably answer this better but I would assume that if it is like a previous column called: pet spotlight it would fall under spotlight. But if it is more informational I think it would be in the Art & Culture. On the other hand if it is meant to be for fun with some interesting information then it might be humor. These are just my thoughts.
I forgot to mention, it would be informational
Hi Emma! That would likely fall under Arts and Culture. Please just specify in your application what your column would practically look like.
Hi, I can’t submit two articles in the space to submit two writing samples for being a columnist. That is why I am submitting one of my 2 through the Editors applicants space.