By Faith Dinsmore
Journalism is one of the many electives Guyer has to offer. Students find this class helpful to develop writing skills and increase confidence, especially when it comes to interviewing people to collect the information needed for their writing. The goal of the journalism class at Guyer is to lead the students to open up and talk to new people. As well as to see life as an experience full of extraordinary events that when written down make history.
Journalism is the profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, news websites or preparing news to be broadcast. Many students take this class to help themselves enhance their writing skills, which is the fuel that drives communication and serves as a framework for society. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and journalism job experience in Mexico, Miss. Pritchard became the new Guyer High School Journalism, Photography and Yearbook teacher. When Guyer was looking for a teacher to fill this position, she was applying for her first teaching job in the U.S.
Miss. Pritchard wants her students to embrace writing and recognize the important of developing this skill “voices resonate if students get education, make their ideas clear, and express them in the proper manner through the adequate media,” she said. Miss Pritchard loves to see her students grow throughout the school year, improving their writing, and creating more articles for publishing. “Voices get louder, confidence shines, interviewing becomes a normal practice.” She added at the same time that she expressed how proud she feels of her student’s progress.
Caroline Low, a student in the journalism program, talked about how this class has helped her succeed in her English assignments. “This class has taught me how to improve my writing skills and become a better writer.” Journalism is helping students come out of their shell, make new connections around the school, and express themselves in ways they might have never done before. “I have built many new friendships,” Caroline said.
Madison Norrid, a student in Miss. Pritchards class says that being prepared is one of the most important parts of journalism. “You have to know how to ask good questions to get the best answers.” She talked about how some questions might be uncomfortable to the interviewees but it is the journalist’s job to figure out a way to make them feel comfortable to share their story.
Guyer’s Journalism program is helping students transform their writing. Throughout this school year alone, they have performed 150 interviews and published about 50 articles. The students have also learned how to use the journalism skills to portray them into their other academic classes. Helping themselves to achieve better grades while becoming more independent and gaining confidence at talking to fellow students throughout the school.
