The Importance and Benefit of Middle School Journalism
Middle school journalism teaches students who are transitioning into a new and scary chapter of life, creative thinking, a good work ethic, honesty, as well as the benefits of working collectively as a team. All of these things students carry with them on to the next challenges they face, and they’re better because of it.
“Creativity is the most important leadership skill today,” business executives said in 2019. Being faced with a challenge of building a theme, voice, and message that tells the story of middle school in a unique way forces creative thinking. Being on the staff of yearbook, news crew, or newspaper, presents problems which call for compromise to make everything fit into place. I found myself asking questions like “How do I do this differently?” and “What makes this fit?”. When students start thinking creatively in this way and apply it to the rest of their life, they will flourish wherever they’re placed in the future, whatever challenges they face.
New challenges and problems call for a strong work ethic in order to face them with confidence. Journalism programs certainly provide you with these skill: working on hard deadlines with hard consequences, and devoting the time and energy it takes to produce a good story, will build a strong foundation of hard work. Throughout my two years being on yearbook staff I felt I put the most energy there, in fact, if anyone were to ask my fifth, sixth, and seventh-period teachers they would say I push myself too hard in the yearbook room as I'll often have nothing left by the end of the day. This kind of devotion is what will drive young journalists forward into the future.
One of the most common responses I would get when I would tell people I was a part of a great journalism program is, to make sure I’m being honest. This resonated with me and I think it did for plenty of those around me as well. Telling true stories, the hard ones that aren’t perfect will always be better than telling perfect ones that are clean to cut and paste. Having honesty and a good moral compass, I feel is the most important thing in journalism, but also just life in general. Being true to one’s self and others will set students apart from their peers.
On yearbook staff, with a group of people all around working toward a tangible goal, students can reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, what unique ideas they have, while also seeing through other's thoughts. This not only gives students more confidence in themselves but also the eyes to see a problem or project in a different light. This will only push students forward, whatever they decide to put their energy towards. Media programs are built on teamwork, without that teamwork I doubt I would have as many opportunities as I have now.
In short, middle school journalism programs will build life long qualities that will be carried by students who will change and shape the world around them. These students will be the ones leading the way into a new and better world. Middle school journalism will continue to enlighten and push learners to be better. I, for one, can't wait to see and hear the stories about them.