LEADERSHIP
160+ staff awards
Over three years
Back-to-back State Championships
The first and second years of the program’s existence
2025 Pacemaker Finalist
One of 34 nationwide — “The Pulitzer Prize of student journalism”
“In our time together, I have witnessed her grow from a young, motivated student into a resilient leader who has been instrumental in developing our student news program and who will unequivocally leave a legacy of excellence when she graduates this spring…She consistently goes above and beyond to accomplish what needs to be done to make them happen. This is true with her own work and projects, but also as a leader. She takes initiative in ways that allow me, as her adviser, to focus on the bigger picture, knowing that she has the details under control…In every sense of the word, Madie is a leader who leads with vision, persistence, and heart. She has not only set the standard for excellence at Gretna East, but she has also left behind a foundation that will continue to benefit students and the community for years to come.”
— Ranae Duncan, Gretna East Journalism Adviser
“Madeline has not only set the standard for excellence but has also elevated the class through her leadership. She leads by example—mentoring her peers and editing every piece with a discerning eye…Madeline is a natural leader in a group and inspires a team culture rooted in trust, creativity, and mutual respect. Madeline’s storytelling stands apart for its depth, clarity, and emotional resonance… Madeline is the type of person who makes every team stronger. Her mix of leadership, creative vision, and collaborative energy will no doubt continue to leave an impact wherever she goes…She thrives under pressure, adapts quickly, and works seamlessly within a production team—a skill set that mirrors professional newsroom standards.”
— Kelly McVey, Gretna East Broadcasting Adviser
“Madeline’s behavior fosters a deep sense of trust. When I assign her a project, I know the final product will not only be completed on time but will be executed with a level of care that elevates our program. I have trusted her with a wide array of high-stakes responsibilities…She possesses the rare combination of technical skill, journalistic integrity, and the "people skills" necessary to thrive in this industry.”
— Dave Stastny, Gretna East Broadcasting Adviser
DAILY
Each day, I started the staff off with a meeting. I did a quick run-through of what staff members were working on, events that needed covering, tasks that needed accomplishing, any edits I had made the previous night, and any other general announcements. Our color-coded calendar allowed me and the staff to keep track of what story needs to be published on what day. This provided a helpful guide to keep our site full of fresh, diverse content.
TRADITIONS
Gretna East Media takes a lot of pride in our traditions, like GEMsgiving and Secret Santa. These two events began in our first year, 2023, and since then, have only become more beloved. The Thursday before Thanksgiving, the staff gathers to share a meal, and the day before winter break, we exchange gifts.
BONDING
While we do spend most of our “bonding” time playing on our shared Minecraft server and sending TikToks to our “WINGS🍗” group chat, in-person time is integral to our team. So far this year we have had a pumpkin painting night and Angel Tree shopping day.
STORY PITCH
Our bi-weekly story pitch was inspired by my mom’s advice to always have two story ideas at the ready.
Each staff member is given a sheet to explain their story idea and dissect it’s news values, ensuring each pitch is valuable.
EDITING
I used Google Docs to revise for grammar, AP style and overall quality, leaving most suggestions digitally. I also met with reporters in person to discuss article goals and help them clarify their ideas.
At the end of each session, I provided my overall impression and highlighted what they did well.
My staff joked about the infamous “Rainbow Method” and fears of ever being “Rainbow-ed” by me. In rare cases where a reporter’s ideas were completely off-track, I highlighted them by color and asked the reporter to rearrange them in rainbow order. It has become a well-known Wingspan tradition that “being rainbowed” is one of the harshest edits you can get, but luckily, it doesn’t happen often.
