Student-led media shines in schools

While the three Rs remain a mainstay for students in every classroom, some take reading and writing to new heights as staff members for student publications. Here, young minds exercise a set of skills to become Wayne County’s newest media mavens. 

At Centerville High School, junior Caleigh Campbell and senior Christian Doan are senior editors for two outlets. Campbell manages content published for Centerville’s YouTube channel, “The Bulldog Beacon.” Regular programming includes news segments highlighting school events and other student-led edutainment. Doan oversees the biweekly newsletter, “The Beacon.”

Campbell joined the multimedia class after taking English with media instructor Corey Van Skyock. She loves the cooperation in the production process.

Doan originally wanted to join the yearbook staff but preferred the newsletter’s faster pace. While story ideas are a team effort, he has the final say for the finished product. 

Van Skyock has led the team of about 20 students for three years.

“I have tried to design the class in a way to allow the students to have control. They are responsible for constantly producing products, whether it be video or print. I am there as a resource to provide direction, instruction and input,” Van Skyock said. Community support and positive feedback help them focus on making a better product.

Hagerstown teacher Mark Linderman has led staff for “The Studio,” which shares TV content on its YouTube channel, and “Paw Print,” the digital newspaper, for five years. Both are emailed to students every other week. 

Linderman’s extensive background in TV production and film allows him to train students in the fundamentals, ensuring that the work remains wholly student-led. 

“This way, I treat the course as a self-motivated job rather than lecture-centered course,” said Linderman. “I have the students elect a main producer who runs The Studio, and lead editor who runs the Paw Print. The program is collaborative but hierarchical as well, as the students report to both the main producer and lead editor to get their guidance for their week’s production schedules.”

Students cover a gamut of stories, from student/teacher spotlights and upcoming event coverage to fun and goofy entertainment segments. As they appreciate learning the craft, Linderman seeks to teach them more than just academics, and says it helps prepare them for life after high school.

“I create an environment in which students work together, held to high standards, and are given the freedom to explore their own interests within the framework of academia and professional standards,” he said. “This way, they can carry the lessons taught from the classroom into the world after graduation.”

Two years ago, Karen Ball took over as Richmond High School’s journalism instructor. At the time, the school’s newspaper, “The Register,” had not been published since 2022. After support from administrators Principal Rae Ferriell-Woolpy and Josh Amyx, former journalism instructor Ann Herrman and education advocate Pat Heiny, Ball was able to revive the periodical.

“Last year, we focused solely on the yearbook, the Pierian, and this semester, we have reintroduced the student newspaper,” said Ball. Its digital format allows it to produce more timely information while being cost-effective. 

Ball guides students to brainstorm story ideas, gather information and interview subjects, submitting stories every other week. The editions are distributed online through social media and the school’s student and family communication platforms. 

Students provide an eclectic mix of stories. Editor junior Evelyn Christian enjoys covering school history, specifically famous alumni, while senior Annabelle Phillips likes covering sports. 

“They just have an easy flow to write in that I find easy but interesting,” said Phillips. “You have the score, the players and it’s easy to figure out the ‘objective of the story.’” 

Ball is assisted by Kaiya McMahan, a 2022 RHS grad and former “Register” editor. While helping Ball, she focuses on relationship-building with students. She’s impressed with their creativity, especially with the yearbook.

Student journalists at The Earlham Word continue a tradition that began in 1986 at Earlham College. After a hiatus during the pandemic, the Word returned in 2023. The staff currently consists of 10 members with additional occasional writers. 

Published every two weeks,_ _issues begin as discussions during the staff’s weekly Sunday meetings. After stories are assigned, writers have 11 days to conduct interviews, take photos and write their articles by Wednesday the following week. An editing period is followed by layout, and final review before it’s sent to the printer in Milford, Indiana. Once the 19-day process is complete, the team distributes 250 copies across campus.

Si Guntzel, a managing editor, says the staff is fortunate to operate with significant independence from the school’s administration. “Our writers have a lot of freedom on what they cover, but we try to keep things focused on Earlham and Richmond, or Indiana at the very broadest,” Guntzel said.