We are relevant

Day One of the Reynolds High School Institute has rekindled my optimism for the future of journalism. Le Anne Wiseman, director of the High School Journalism Institute, began the day by asking the audience of high school teachers to consider an often-used rating scenario with a twist.  If only a handful of people could be taken on the first mission to a new galaxy, would a journalist be on that list? "I think so," she said.

When I began my stint as newspaper adviser three years ago, I was enthusiastic about the importance of the media and the skills one learns while studying media. However, the climate of my school doesn't feed that passion. I feel the predominate reason administration supports a newswriting class is because our school has always had a newspaper and always must. Staff enrollment has been five for the last three years.  I feel lonely in my enthusiasm. From the get-go, fortunately, this institute is building me back up and makes me want to go back home and shine my little light again.

As Wiseman pointed out, however, journalism is changing and I think that is one reason for the lack of enthusiasm and recognition of relevance at my school.  The newswriting class also needs to change with different delivery platforms, a better matching of information to audience, and providing readers with individualized information as well as access to deeper "wells of information" should they desire.

Cindy Reves
McKinley High School
Honolulu, Hawaii