True Blue publication

True Blue is an independent, non-profit and non-partisan political editorial based in Philadelphia. It is published, managed and edited by Christian Sarkis Graham and Samuel Franklin. It is released quarterly (excluding a summer issue) and is circulated mainly throughout the Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy and Wyndmoor communities.

Mission

True Blue was founded on one simple aim: to serve as the venue for the opinions believed to be “improper” for other forms of media - whether due to their brazen nature, controversial content focus, or any other reason that would previously keep them out of print.
It is the belief of the editors that the opinions and viewpoints that tend to make audiences the most uncomfortable are often the ones that need to be the most loudly voiced.

Since its formation, True Blue has covered controversial issues ranging from discriminatory policies on the part of certain private school administrations, to the flaws of self-help and motivational speakers, to the intervention of God in national and international political affairs, to our nation’s media’s dire mishandling of the Virginia Tech tragedy.

History

True Blue was conceived and roughly established in the fall of 2005 by Derek Banov, then a senior at Chestnut Hill Academy. The initial mission of the paper was to serve as an alternative form of school media, intended to house the critical and potentially controversial opinions of fellow students regarding their school.
Banov released one issue before the time of his graduation. Word processed and staple-bound, Banov’s single issue served as an essential loose prototype for what the paper would later grow into.

Upon Banov’s graduation, management of the paper passed to Christian Sarkis Graham and Samuel Franklin, then rising juniors. In its infant and most formative stages, the paper was subject to great change. Franklin and Graham broadened the paper’s focus from students’ specific quarrels with their school to any issue a given student felt unable or unwilling to address in a school-endorsed paper - be it regarding a school, community, national or international concern. This, the new editors believed, truly brought about the maturation of the project from an underground school paper to a genuine independent publication.

In the fall of 2007, True Blue went on hiatus. Staff and editorial complications prevented the editors from releasing the first two issues of Volume III on their intended dates.
However, in early 2008, Franklin and Graham announced that publication of True Blue would resume in the month of April.

Political Affiliation

True Blue is an entirely non-partisan publication. It is the belief of the editors that any articulated opinion is worth both voicing and hearing, regardless of its specific political or moral persuasion.

Funding

True Blue is funded predominantly by local small businesses in exchange for business card-sized advertisements printed within each issue. Private donations also serve as a significant source of financial support.

Charges start at $10.00 for business card-sized advertisements. Prices are negotiable for larger ads.

Miscellaneous

True Blue has been covered in the media outside of its own management. The Chestnut Hill Local, Northwest Philadelphia’s leading community newspaper, has included coverage regarding True Blue’s history and status. This article is available on the Chestnut Hill Local website under the title Students found newspaper, tackle tough issues.

True Blue T-Shirts are available for $10.00. To order, send a check made payable to Samuel Franklin (address listed below under Contact the Editors. )
If you wish to receive your T-Shirt by mail, a $5.00 shipping and handling fee should be included with your payment.

Official True Blue T-Shirts are available in sizes S-M-L-XL.

Contacting the Editors

Advertising Inquiries and Rates: c/o S. Franklin, True Blue, 3904 Henry Ave., Phila., PA 19129

Letters to the Editor and Editorial Submissions: c/o C. Graham, True Blue, 214 E. Evergreen Ave., Phila., PA 19118

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