Q: So Alex, you are one of the new Campanile editors for next year, correct? What is your full title?

A: Alex Rosenberg; Editor-in-chief.

Q: Are you excited about becoming an editor?

A: I’m ecstatic that I’ve been given this opportunity.

Q: What are your responsibilities as an editor?

A: The title of editor-in-chief requires one to edit articles, edit pages, protect food from sophomores who say, “Woj told us we could eat it,” go crazy on power-trips, say “shh!” 10 million times in one class period, and hit on unsuspecting junior girls.

Q: Do you have to crack the whip on all the staff?

A: I prefer to wrestle them into submission. Whips sting more, but pounding someone’s head into the dirty Campy pillows is far more humiliating. [Laughs] I’ll try not to crack the whip too much next year.

Q: How long have you been a part of the Campanile staff?

A: Well, junior year is the first year you’re eligible, so I’ve been a member for one year now.

Q: What has been your favorite part of being on the Campanile?

A: It’s a three-way tie between getting identified as “some type of Mexican” because of my Peruvian heritage, beating Trevor Bisset at wrestling, and being designated “Hip-hop” CD Reviewer.

Q: Why does the Campanile only come out once a month? Don’t newspapers usually come out every day?

A: Shut up Katie, Campy rules! We come out every three-weeks because we spend a lot of time perfecting the look of the paper. Also, our paper looks a lot better than local newspapers. Furthermore, have you seen Verde, Voice, In Focus, and Calliope? They suck compared to the Campanile. As a current editor once explained to me, “they’re our AAA affiliates.” Campy rules!

Q: Can you please explain to me the entire process of “the making of the Campanile?”

A: As I indicated before, we run on a three-week cycle. During the first day, the entire staff participates in a “story idea session” in which staff members offer ideas for the upcoming paper. That same day, the editors-in-chief assign stories and pass then out the second-day of the cycle. Then people complain about how they didn’t get the story of their dreams and at least one lazy senior claims, “I don’t want to do this, I have senioritis.” After turning in an outline, each staff member writes an article and hopefully turns it in on time. After a series of corrected drafts, staff members email their stories to the paper.

Q: What are productions like at the Campanile?

A: Production starts which spans three to four days and lasts till around 8 p.m. every night. People eat, talk, and work. Additionally, they engage in several activities that are inappropriate for a computer lab, like wrestling, playing whiffle ball, or organizing a room-wide rave (setting each computer to play the same techno song and flashing the room’s lights on and off). As the pages miraculously get done, they receive several “checks” until they complete the check-process. Then the paper is completed, and somehow we receive a million awards.

Q: Okay, now it’s time to dish the dirt. What is the worst part of being part of the Campanile?

A: When I’m standing calmly and engaging another staff member in conversation, and all of a sudden Trevor Bisset tackles me from behind and forces me to wrestle him. I always end up smelling like deodorant, sweat, and Campy pillows.

Q: So you have late nights during production. I’ve definitely heard some stories about what happens, but what really goes on during these late and sleepless nights?

A: If you’re lucky, you’ll see at least one atomic nervous breakdown, one game of whiffle ball, and one massive water fight. Most of what I want to say is really inappropriate, so just imagine approximately 50 people crammed in one room. That’s at least 25 boys. Twenty-five teenage hormone-raging boys. I’ve seen some bizarre things…

Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration to be on the Campanile and then become an editor?

A: Jake Kelman, because he and I both like Mobb Deep and the Campanile.

Q: How did you become an editor?

A: First, we each made a huge portfolio of our work. Then we gave a speech to the class. Later on, we had a meeting with the current editors and then with Woj. We also edited a story and two pages. When I was selected, Woj called me with the good news. I was then kidnapped, blindfolded and driven to Half Moon Bay in complete silence. Then we had a fun Theeds06 camping trip.

Q: What traits do you need to become an editor for the Campanile?

A: Leadership skills, commitment, passion, whiffle ball competency, an understanding of the word “hooky,” good writing and editing skills, and a love for the Campanile.

Q: Now I understand you are also involved with tons of other activities. What are your involved in, including your course load for next year?

A: I had to quit football and soccer, (both a very difficult decision). I’m a Junior Statesman of America. Next year I’m taking AP Environmental Science, AP English, AP Psychology, BC Calculus, Econ, and Campanile.

Q: How do you plan on managing all this, especially as an editor?

A: I guess I’m just going to have to plow ahead and break down every now and then.

Q: What made you want to be an editor?

A: Myself. I wanted to step up as a leader. Seriously!

Q: Let me guess, college bulking too? Where exactly do you want to go to college?

A: I guess that’s a perk of the job, but that’s not really what it’s about. I actually wanted to take a leadership role that mattered. Everyone who reads the college part is going to misunderstand who I am. Sometimes I just want to open up a pizza shop on the beach in SoCal, but then I remember that I hate people who claim to be “chill, laid back California people”. So then I remember that I’m looking at Harvard, Duke, Princeton, UPenn, Stanford, and some UCs right now.

Q: What words of advice would you give to students who hope to one day be like you?

A: Remember that girls and friends are way more important than studying. Live life to the fullest every day. Stay focused; take mental health days if they help you value your life more; drink diet coke to stay up late at night; develop a good taste in music, join Campanile; don’t get caught up in the “white Palo Alto-aristocracy” kid’s drama (it’ll bring your intelligence and soul down); if you start telling math jokes, seek professional help; don’t do too many drugs; don’t join water polo; keep your goals in mind; and chase as many girls/guys as you possibly can.