Without him, it wouldn't be happening. He gives the paper some good spirit. In producing the Searchlight , the staff uses school computers, copier and mimeograph machine. Denis said he would like to see the paper someday support itself through the selling of ads, but he doesn't see that happening anytime soon, with the staff having its hands full just getting the news out. Copies of the paper, often 20 pages or more, are dropped off at Grandma's Bakery, The Richford Diner, Richford Rexall, The Pinnacle Peddler, Gib's Quick Stop, and other locations.
Some stores call back a day or two later asking for more.
The Searchlight was one of only a handful of school newspapers that turned out for the High School Media Conference held at St. Michael's College earlier this winter. Although it wasn't a contest, Wright said that of the school newspapers that showed up, Searchlight was exemplary. They said we were doing a really good job, which is really encouraging. Besides getting compliments, Denis and the staff also gained knowledge in workshops on news writing, column writing, and media law and ethics. Wright says people in the community love to read about what's going on in school, and he's heard many compliments about Searchlight , and so far, no detractions.