The McKenzie Banner is seeking a dependable, enthusiastic High School Sports Stringer to provide coverage of McKenzie Rebels athletic events during the Fall Semester of the 2026-2027 school year. This is a contract, temporary position ideal for journalism students, freelance writers, photographers, or sports enthusiasts with strong writing skills.
Position Summary
The Sports Stringer is responsible for attending assigned McKenzie Rebels sporting events, photographing the action, interviewing coaches and players when appropriate, and producing an accurate, engaging newspaper game story that follows Associated Press (AP) Style and the inverted pyramid news writing format.
Responsibilities
- Attend assigned McKenzie Rebels sporting events.
- Photograph games and capture quality action shots.
- Write an objective newspaper game story of at least 300 words.
- Use AP Style and the inverted pyramid format.
- Include accurate game statistics, scoring summaries, and other relevant information.
- Verify names, scores, records, and statistics for accuracy.
- Submit 3–5 high-quality unedited, original digital photographs from each event.
- Meet all editorial deadlines without exception.
- Communicate professionally with coaches, athletic staff, and McKenzie Banner editors.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must:
- Have excellent grammar, spelling, and writing skills.
- Be familiar with AP Style or be willing to learn it quickly.
- Own or have reliable access to a digital camera capable of producing publishable photographs.
- Have reliable internet access.
- Have dependable transportation to and from assigned sporting events.
- Have access to a word processing program capable of saving documents in Rich Text Format (.RTF).
- Know how to submit stories and photographs via email.
- Be dependable and consistently meet deadlines.
- Dress professionally while representing The McKenzie Banner.
- Maintain a clean record and conduct themselves professionally at all times.
Compensation
- $25–$50 per sporting event, depending on the quality, completeness, and timeliness of the submission.
- Submission Must Include:
- One newspaper game story of at least 300 words
- 3–5 publishable, unedited, original digital photographs
- Relevant game statistics and scoring information
Deadline
All game coverage must be submitted no later than Monday at 9:00 a.m., unless an earlier deadline is assigned by the editor.
Schedule
This is a contract/temporary position covering athletic events during the Fall Semester of the 2026-2027 school year. Work is primarily evenings and weekends, depending on the athletic schedule.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference may be given to applicants with previous experience in journalism, sports writing, photography, yearbook, student media, or newspaper reporting.
The McKenzie Banner is looking for individuals who are dependable, detail-oriented, and passionate about local sports and community journalism. Successful applicants should be able to work independently, produce accurate reporting under deadline, and represent the newspaper professionally while covering McKenzie Rebels athletics.
Pay: $12.50 - $25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
