Kevin Park, Staff Writer and Web Designer
Having been successful as a long-established school newspaper, Highlights finally goes online for the first time in the school’s history.
Highlights online is run by nine students in adviser Gaby Herbst’s period eight desktop publishing class.  The online newspaper will provide students with the latest school news, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Highlights online expects to create more interaction between school news and the students’ opinions, which will provide the students with another way for the publication to connect to the student body.
“One of the main goals of our class is to incorporate social media such as Twitter and Facebook, which allow students to connect in different ways,” Web Editor Pasha Farmanara said.
Beverly Highlights will focus on providing students with more concise and digestive daily news, giving them much easier access to school news. The online newspaper features media unavailable to print news. These media appear in the form of videos, slideshows, podcasts, live scores and breaking news.
“Even though we have just started this project, I know that we’re onto something great,” Web Editor Parmis Sahrapima stated.
While the desktop publication team is excited to launch Highlights online, students have great expectations for the website.
“I like the idea of having an online version of Highlights. It will be nicer to find out what’s going on at school much more easily. I hope to see both in-depth and entertaining articles from Beverly Highlights. I think daily updates will be very crucial,” sophomore David Kim said.
Unlike the print edition of Highlights, the easy access to school news on beverlyhighlights.com is the most anticipated feature for students.
“I have always wanted to read school news online at home, with much easier access. Now, I’m so glad to hear that Beverly Highlights is coming online,” sophomore Shanny Lee said.
The website launches with weeklong activities and events coordinated by the desktop publishing students.  Posters and PA announcements have been made, in addition to the distribution of cookies plastered with the website’s URL.  The week  concludes with an event in the cafeteria encouraging students to be the first to log-on and comment.