Student Run Journalism Programs
High school journalism is under fire across the United States as educators face budget cuts and an increased pressure to improve test scores. It seems to be that the first thing to go after the arts, is journalism. However, new research commissioned by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation suggests that if student achievement is the goal, then schools would be well advised to offer journalism classes. Journalism helps students become better thinkers, better communicators, and, as a result, better citizens. Developing student writers are expected to achieve an increasingly broad and deep knowledge and understanding of the value of writing in their lives, of their own individual writing processes, of the range of writing strategies available to them, and of the benefits of sharing and publishing their writing for a wider audience. It is essentially that schools realize the importance of journalism programs, as well as the benefit that they have on students. Here are a few interviews that I have collected from various students explaining the importance journalism has had on their high school experiences.
"So starting off high school I never really knew what I wanted to be or what field I wanted to major in, but I knew that I really liked to read and write and my dad encouraged me to join journalism and I did (mostly to humor him) and its so strange because now coming out of high school and into college, I know exactly what field and subfield I want to pursue a career in all because of one class. But I think the greatest parts of my high school journalism experience was being a part of something that everyone really cared about and worked hard for. Every other week we would come out with this 12 paged paper and a few days before publishing, everyone would put off their social and academic obligations and just focus on making this paper and writing and reporting about everything that was going on in the school and community, whether it was photo slideshow on a soccer game or an in-depth article on teenage pregnancy within our school. I think thats my favorite part of journalism: the fact that the point of this field is to spread awareness to people about concepts that really affect them, like genocides in third world countries or financial crises in their state. And that’s why I think, when done correctly, journalism is a really noble field. And then personally, though the class really helped me decide what I wanted to do, it also really helped me become a more confident person. I was really shy freshman year, but having to talk to new people for information, speaking at editorial meetings, fighting for the papers first amendment rights, and later being editor in chief for the paper has really helped me become a more confident person, which is an important life skill no matter what field I go into." (Mabal Kabani, Beverly Hills High School 14')
"As a high school student I always felt as though I had trouble opening up to my peers. It was hard for me to feel comfortable around others, and I never felt as though I could be myself. However, Sophomore year everything changed when I joined my school's newspaper. From the moment I joined, I not only felt a part of a community, but I also felt as though I could express my thoughts through the articles I wrote. I felt supported by my peers, and faculty, and was inspired to expand my horizons and to explore new fields. Without the opportunity to partake in my school's newspaper, I don't think my high school experience would have been anywhere as complete. (Hannah Schwartz, Lower Merion 14')
"The moment I walked into my high school journalism class, I knew that classroom would be where I would learn to feel the most comfortable throughout my four years of high school. From the first class to the last, I felt a sense of community, and encouragement from both my peers and teachers. I felt as though I was valued as a writer, student, and journalist. I was given numerous opportunities to write articles that directly affected me as a student, and through these articles I was able to make a difference. I will always treasure the times that people came up to me to congratulate me on a well-written article. Because of high school journalism I am now a confident writer. I am confident in the person I am, and I am not scared to express my thoughts with others. (Emily Berman, Garrison Forest 14')
It's not easy to fit in in High School, and looking back on my high school experience I can say from experience that high school really does suck at times. While I didn't always love high school, something that most students would tend to agree with, I did find joy in my journalism class. It was there that I made some of my best friends, and it was there that I discovered a passion for writing. Even on the most awful of days, I always looked forward to class; to be in a classroom where I didn't feel judged my peers. High school journalism inspired me to look towards a journalism major, and now I can say that I am enjoying college, surrounded by exactly the kind of people I want to be with. I owe so much to my journalism class, and I will never forget where it was that I first found my love for writing. (Anonymous High School Student 12')
"So starting off high school I never really knew what I wanted to be or what field I wanted to major in, but I knew that I really liked to read and write and my dad encouraged me to join journalism and I did (mostly to humor him) and its so strange because now coming out of high school and into college, I know exactly what field and subfield I want to pursue a career in all because of one class. But I think the greatest parts of my high school journalism experience was being a part of something that everyone really cared about and worked hard for. Every other week we would come out with this 12 paged paper and a few days before publishing, everyone would put off their social and academic obligations and just focus on making this paper and writing and reporting about everything that was going on in the school and community, whether it was photo slideshow on a soccer game or an in-depth article on teenage pregnancy within our school. I think thats my favorite part of journalism: the fact that the point of this field is to spread awareness to people about concepts that really affect them, like genocides in third world countries or financial crises in their state. And that’s why I think, when done correctly, journalism is a really noble field. And then personally, though the class really helped me decide what I wanted to do, it also really helped me become a more confident person. I was really shy freshman year, but having to talk to new people for information, speaking at editorial meetings, fighting for the papers first amendment rights, and later being editor in chief for the paper has really helped me become a more confident person, which is an important life skill no matter what field I go into." (Mabal Kabani, Beverly Hills High School 14')
"As a high school student I always felt as though I had trouble opening up to my peers. It was hard for me to feel comfortable around others, and I never felt as though I could be myself. However, Sophomore year everything changed when I joined my school's newspaper. From the moment I joined, I not only felt a part of a community, but I also felt as though I could express my thoughts through the articles I wrote. I felt supported by my peers, and faculty, and was inspired to expand my horizons and to explore new fields. Without the opportunity to partake in my school's newspaper, I don't think my high school experience would have been anywhere as complete. (Hannah Schwartz, Lower Merion 14')
"The moment I walked into my high school journalism class, I knew that classroom would be where I would learn to feel the most comfortable throughout my four years of high school. From the first class to the last, I felt a sense of community, and encouragement from both my peers and teachers. I felt as though I was valued as a writer, student, and journalist. I was given numerous opportunities to write articles that directly affected me as a student, and through these articles I was able to make a difference. I will always treasure the times that people came up to me to congratulate me on a well-written article. Because of high school journalism I am now a confident writer. I am confident in the person I am, and I am not scared to express my thoughts with others. (Emily Berman, Garrison Forest 14')
It's not easy to fit in in High School, and looking back on my high school experience I can say from experience that high school really does suck at times. While I didn't always love high school, something that most students would tend to agree with, I did find joy in my journalism class. It was there that I made some of my best friends, and it was there that I discovered a passion for writing. Even on the most awful of days, I always looked forward to class; to be in a classroom where I didn't feel judged my peers. High school journalism inspired me to look towards a journalism major, and now I can say that I am enjoying college, surrounded by exactly the kind of people I want to be with. I owe so much to my journalism class, and I will never forget where it was that I first found my love for writing. (Anonymous High School Student 12')