DIXFIELD – Kelly Bean has long liked to write. When she was younger, the Dirigo High School sophomore wrote short stories for her little sister. She keeps a daily personal journal, and now, she is assistant editor of a new high school newspaper.

“I’ve always had an interest in journalism. It is something for someone who is curious,” she said. She hopes to major in English and journalism when she gets to college.

Bean and a half-dozen or so other high school students will publish their first newspaper on Nov. 2.

Keeping with tradition, they are leaving it up to the school’s students to name the periodical from two suggestions the newspaper’s staff selected. They aren’t letting those names out yet.

If students don’t like either proposed name, they can come up with one of their own.

The December edition will carry the newspaper’s name on the banner.

Junior Jennie Skillin is the lead photographer. She likes taking candid shots, which she said have lots of emotion. And she likes looking back at her photos. She also likes to write and will use her skills there as well.

The newspaper, to be printed first on legal-size paper, then later on newsprint, will carry news from the school each month, as well as regular features or profiles of staff members, Student of the month, an advice column, a book review, music commentary or movie review, and other events will also be featured.

Newspaper adviser Sarah Veayo, the school’s library assistant, said she hopes the periodical will be something students want to read, something they can be proud of.

“I hope it will promote more of a sense of community and help the (newspaper) staff learn to be better writers,” she said.

Plans are to follow journalistic principals.

Bean believes the paper may get more students to read.

“If we are consistent and a good influence,” she said.

She is writing the newspaper’s first editorial on the lead story. And she’s not saying what that is yet.

The newspaper staff meets Mondays after school, then the editorial staff meets Tuesdays to revise stories, assign them and come up with story ideas.

Art teacher Dianna Dority is designing a box that will be placed in the library to accept a vote on the newspaper’s name, as well as questions to advice columnist, “Miss Kitty,” and to make suggestions for stories. It’ll be called The Litter Box.

Veayo is getting ready to apply for a couple of grants to help pay for the newspapers that will be distributed free to students and staff. And eventually, the paper will carry advertising that will help absorb some of the cost.

The first edition will contain an interview with soccer coach Dennis Hanson, a book review of “Fight Like a Girl and Win,” and coverage of last month’s homecoming.