The Devils’ Advocate has gone through many changes during its history. Originally, it was published only on paper, but due to modern technology usage, publication is now entirely online. In recent years, the Devils’ Advocate was found solely on our website, with the exception of a physical paper which was printed only for the last edition of the year, or the “Senior Edition.” This year, the Devils’ Advocate is working to expand its influence on the HC community through operational changes.
Recent changes have once again adjusted publication methods. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, the Devils’ Advocate is now published only online. This was due to many factors, including difficulty in fundraising after the district cut journalism funding in 2013. Although it is disappointing to no longer be able to produce a physical edition even sporadically, the student newspaper looks to create new traditions in the coming years.
Although the Devils’ Advocate has had social media accounts in the past, they have been replaced by the new Devils’ Advocate Instagram page. With the newly founded Instagram, the Devils’ Advocate has been posting new stories, “Meet the Staff”, and promoting other HC accounts. Within this account, the Devils’ Advocate has the link to their website and a link to a suggestion box Google form where the HC community can suggest stories they would like to see written. The current social media team has started with the Co-Editor-in-Chief, Sydney Cain, and will soon expand to more reporters and editors as the year progresses.
This increased social media presence has been a big part of a recent increase in viewership, which in the past has often been a struggle for the Devils’ Advocate. For example, the Devils’ Advocate has had 2,252 stories read over the last month, as opposed to only 697 in the last month of the 2023-2024 school year. As such, social media has proved to be a very effective method of advertising and will likely remain a frequently used platform for the Devils’ Advocate.
With the increase of viewers, an increase in stories being produced is necessary. As of this year nine more reporters have joined the journalism course and have been working hard to write stories and learn the ways around the course. A large Journalism 1 group is of greater benefit than usual this year, as the Devils’ Advocate had a great number of seniors last year on the editorial staff, who are now graduated. With a larger staff and a new social media presence, the future looks bright for the Devils’ Advocate.
