Students in Lori Sadler’s eighth grade journalism class at Lafayette High School have created the school’s first online newspaper.

The publication, Hornet 411, debuted online in August, according to Sadler. Although teachers contribute to the publication, Sadler says her students take full responsibility for writing their own articles, taking photos, designing poll questions, and doing whatever else it takes to make it successful.

Inspiration for the online newspaper came from their desire to create something similar to the high school’s yearbook.

“The high school journalism class publishes the Treasure Chest Yearbook. So the middle school students thought that a newspaper would be a great way publish their writing,” Sadler said.

At first, Sadler considered publishing the newspaper in print format. After discovering it would be too expensive, she decided to pursue the less expensive route, an online version.

Once the first issue of the middle school newspaper was published online in August, the students have been busy interviewing, taking photos and writing articles on a variety of topics.

“There are sections for news, top stories, student life, sports, current events, and commentaries,” Sadler said.

According to Sadler, her students are passionate about their work, believe their newspaper will be a part of Lafayette High School and the community for many years to come, and want it to be a huge success.

“It is a very informational thing and it helps us develop our writing skills,” said Willie Smith, one of Sadler’s students. “Also, it gets our minds stimulated and we can be creative.”

Sadler invites the public to visit the publication at www.hornet411.com and provide any comments, criticisms or suggestions to the writers and staff. The newspaper is published every Wednesday.