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The Hanabi has not
always been the way you see it today. The earliest issue dates
back to April 1953, and since then it has gone through countless
changes. It has had other names, such as Tok-Hi Shimbun or
Shimbun, but the current name has "survived"
the longest, since 1960. It has been printed on different types
of paper, from the glossy type (giving it a magazine look), to
the current newspaper sheets. The length has also varied,
ranging from just four pages to twenty four. But one thing has
remained: its purpose. |
The Hanabi has always
tried to be a representation of the student body, its worries,
concerns and enjoyments. Surprisingly many recent articles cover
topics that were just as important to readers over twenty years
ago. These include school, sports, local plays, seniors
(everything about them), new teachers, school policies and
school clubs (Debate and Speech being ASIJ favorites). But there
are also topics that, with time, have faded away. The most
popular parts of the Hanabi in the 60's and 70's were the
"Dear ______" columns (Including Dear Lisa, Prude,
Blabby and others). |
Other topics that have lost
their luster include the need for more computers (definitely not
a problem any more) or the annual photography contest which the Hanabi
used to sponsor. Most recent issues of our newspaper are
more concerned with topics such as the internet, smoking, eating
disorders, tattoos, etc... providing that things have changed in
the makings of the Hanabi, but the principle is still
present. The Hanabi still represents the ASIJ student
body.
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Note: In 1960 (of the 60-61 school
year) the school held a
special assembly to select a name for the paper. Each junior
high and high school student voted and, based on the vote, the paper
was named "Hanabi." The name is the Japanese
word for fireworks. The student staff published six issues
during the 1960-1961 school year. [RWL '61]
Patty (Patricia) Gete graduated from ASIJ in
1996.
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