Around 5 and a half years ago, I founded the Campus Courier. I ran it on my own for 3 and a half years. And now, for the last 2 years, I have run it with an incredibly talented team of journalists since then. All those years run in my blood, all those years run in my soul, and all those years took my tears, my sweat, and my care. As a leader, I’ve led and cared about a long list of the talented and the exceptional in this field: Tyler Davidson, Stuart Schmidt, Daisy DeLeon, Grant Moser, John D., Lia Juarez, Brodie Hood, and Mathew Becker. But now all my work, every written word I’ve sworn on, is threatened by an unfeeling administration.
Today I learned from one of my team members that one of the core members of the administration is likely going to axe journalism from the extracurricular options because Mr Clark is leaving. But I beg to differ, I beg to differ that it’s not that simple, that it’s not just a teacher that makes a class a class, that makes a team a team, and that makes Broadcast Journalism what it is, it’s the members, and they shouldn’t be resigned to nothing because of the situation. Now, these are all semantics, so here’s why Journalism helps our school.
One, it enlightens students to school news and world news. The journalism team’s writers have spent years covering the news of the world and, more recently, honing in on every last thing of significance happening on campus. Daisy has covered our president in a way some professionals aren’t even able to. Brodie has updated people on science as an essential supplement to a STEM class for anyone who wants it. Mathew Becker and Grant Moser have covered school events with a passion.
Two, all New Way students who read it enjoyed it. Everyone who read it wanted more. Our readership loved it, and taking it from them would be unfair. Students AND your fellow teachers have come up to me and complimented the work of this talented journalistic squad.
Third, it has changed the lives of my compatriots and me in class. I’ve spent the past 2 years connecting with my journalists and vice versa. I’ve edited their work, and it’s taught me (and them) writing skills and, for me, leadership skills. They’ve all grown as people through their work, and so have I. Mathew Becker has matured. John has become more responsible. And everyone has just become better through the camaraderie this class presents.
Finally, back to pathos, journalism, through my blood, sweat, and tears, and next through those of geniuses, created a campus institution! It advanced people’s knowledge, it helped the members grow, and it should not be for nought! As the impromptu leader of Journalism, as Editor-In-Chief, I cannot remain silent, I cannot stand by, the Journalism program is valuable to our school! It must be upheld, and I beg of you, please keep it, because it’s helping people.
