The Upstart

The little boy who delivers newspapers early in the morning may be seeing a decline in the subscriptions to the local paper, but that is no more journalistic than the podcasts online broadcasting about the latest massacre in Norway. The word journalism triggers several stereotypical images; the most common is that journalism is only print press, causing the belief that journalism is dying. However, journalism is not on its way out. The world always needs news and an outlet to express their voices and high schools do their role in contributing to journalistic interest. Journalism is not becoming a part of the past, but being redefined, and is one of the most quickly adjusting fields available.

Despite the fact that newspapers around the world are failing, high school publications and journalism programs continue to thrive. Every year, more and more students are introduced into the world of journalism through a school newspaper or blog. Many of these students will fall in love with the field go on to make journalism and news reporting their career. With this kind of interest being generated so early on in life, it is impossible to believe that there will come a time when journalists simply cease to exist.

Every day, events occur that people will want to know about. Journalism is what gives the people the information they need. Society relies on journalism covering everything from huge global events to local affairs. Also, without journalism, people would not be able to express their voice and opinion as well. People are able to write reviews on movies and columns on topics that others are interested in, so that people can relate and explore their community. Without all the journalism we have today, we would all be isolated from society.

Some critics insist that journalism is a dying art. Perhaps these critics are unclear on what the word “journalism” actually embodies. Journalism is the act of reporting news—sharing information and ideas. The ideas can be shared in numerous ways; through podcasts, blogs, websites, photography etc. The need to inform the public will never die. Things in this world happen; people will talk.

Perhaps, what they meant to say is that the printed press is dying. And in that case—they’d be right. According to an article in warc.com, “Advertising revenues for US newspapers are continuing to fall, with the nation’s largest newspaper chain announcing a fresh decline for the second quarter of 2011.” This hints at a not-so-far-off future, where news is entirely paperless. Older generations may find themselves “out of the loop” if they do not acquire some basic tech skills—fast.

Journalism is not a dying field, because the world will always change, causing news to occur. People will look for their news in whichever way is the most current form and journalism morphs to fit the changing package. Be it podcasts, online publications or blogs, journalism is merely being redefined and still growing.  The neighborhood newspaper boy may be out of a job, but journalism as a whole will be just fine. By Christina Leininger, George Tibbles, Melanie Sweet and Aubrey Butts / Opinion Writing

Some schools have it, some schools don’t. Leaving the campus for lunch is a privilege that students should respect and treat it properly. It helps local businesses out, gives students a break, and allows them to have some freedom and independence. It should be a mandatory part of the school day, for several reasons.

In today’s economy, it should come as no shock that businesses need help. Local businesses, especially, are in need of a lift. During weekday hours, most local restaurants are completely empty because kids are in school and can’t leave. Open campus lunches could easily be the solution to these establishments’ problems. Most students leaving school grounds for lunch will go to nearby restaurants; therefore, the local businesses will pick up pace during hours which would otherwise be dead. Small businesses like these need groups of kids coming in to eat in order to keep their operations alive. Schools having open campus lunches would result in a much healthier economy for the entire community.

The average High School class is an hour; the average attention span of teenagers is 15-30 minutes. Students need a break to take a breath of fresh air, stretch their legs, and let their mind relax.  School work can often overwhelm students; going off campus gives kids a break from all the frustrations of school. It also allows students to get a well needed break in the middle of the day, so that they can return to class focused, refreshed, and ready to learn.

If high school is meant to prepare young adults for college, students should be given more independence. High school students are just a diploma away from entering a world full of freedom; but they still have restrictions on where they can eat lunch. It’s time for schools to realize that we don’t need to be treated like children anymore. Being able to escape campus for a lunch period gives students a chance to enter the real world: a world full of responsibilities. Those students who choose to go out for lunch would be forced to take on the responsibilities which open campus lunch entails.

Teachers, parents, and the administration may be opposed to the freedom that comes with open campus lunch. There’s the issue of attendance and tardiness, which many students may take advantage of. Safety is another conflict that may worry parents. However, with an open campus comes great responsibility. Although tardiness may be a factor that is abused, there are always a few students who lack that maturity at every school. As for safety, parents need to understand that their student can’t live in a bubble forever. These same students will experience open campus in a few years anyway, except at a much larger scale with college. Its better they experience it now, rather than later.

Open campus lunch is definitely a must for high school students. It is beneficial to the community, students, and staff, and will provide a healthier school environment all around. By Megan Isom, Richa Bijlani, Joe Elsen, Kaitlin Boarman and Katie Zumbrunnen / Opinion Writing

“Art is not a luxury — it’s a necessity,” said Stephen Saunders, an arts coordinator K-12th grade from Rhode Island. When Saunders sat down at this desk for the new school year; he saw the giant hole in the budget for the art programs, and so did the newspaper advisers. And there was nothing they could do about it. Arts are not something that can be moved around. Administrators have been deciding to cut funding for journalism because it doesn’t apply, when really, journalism is one of the few class that fully prepares you for the real world.

Whether photography, broadcast, newspaper, magazine, etc., journalism provides a basis of foundation for students’ fundamentals to grow into lifelong skills. The process of assembling gathering, and reporting information to an audience under short deadlines requires teens to learn how to perform basic skills well and often. Also, communication, one of the most difficult but important skills to learn, is absolutely necessary in any area of the working world. These social skills are and will be much more rewarding in the future then a letter grade.

Journalism is more than just a few words on a page; it’s a story. It’s a story that involves the whole community. Every article, opinion and brief tells something that the readers of said newspaper may have not known about before. In a world where Facebook notifications from a friend across the country can seem more important than the community one resides. Journalism gives importance to the man walking down the street. A high school newspaper can unite the readers and empower a community.

The most disturbing implication of cuts to journalism is that administrators don’t seem to realize the empowering effect that journalism has.  Students in journalism courses are given a sense of purpose that is unique to those classes.  Kids are asked to dig into recent events with a sense of urgency, and are compelled to seek out answers.  Journalism courses allow kids to quell their rampant curiosity while having a sense of purpose in doing so, something that no other course can offer.

Some people believe that supporting a newspaper is a waste of money because journalism is dying out, and nobody reads the newspapers. However, journalism is not dead, and neither are the skills that it requires. Journalism is merely taking a new form. Print media may have died out but journalism is around as long as events and community interest continue to exist.
Of course, this isn’t just a problem affecting journalism.  Clubs across the board are being cut unjustly.  What administrators don’t realize is that these clubs are more than just clubs.

Journalism alone teaches invaluable skills, unites the community, and endows kids with a sense of empowerment, and all the other clubs on the chopping block have plenty of useful experience to offer.  By looking at them as more than just clubs, but as learning and growing experiences, administrators can realize the true value of these courses, and why cuts are more than just detrimental – they are unacceptable. By Nicole Ferguson, Mario Ogu, Liz Barnes, Connor Park and Lia Williams / Opinion Writing

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