Young journalists deserve recognition
The end of February marks Scholastic Journalism Week, a time set aside each year by the Journalism Education Association for recognizing the efforts of student journalists nationwide.
Since the landmark Tinker case in 1969, teens have had the opportunity to learn their First Amendment rights by practicing them in public schools. Scholastic Journalism Week offers a chance for students and the public alike to take a closer look at the endeavors of young journalists locally and nationwide.
This national celebration of free speech is always meaningful to us at Kaneland High School because of the ongoing support our publications program enjoys from students, staff, the school board and the community at large.
For me, this celebration is especially poignant, as I will be leaving the journalism program and the Krier in June, after 34 extremely rewarding years. It's been my pleasure to work in a school district that values the First Amendment, entrusts students with free speech rights and expects from them, in return, responsible decision-making.
KHS journalists make all decisions and write, design and format the paper on computers in the publications lab and print it in the graphics lab in Fox Valley Career Center.
This year our student journalists have had the opportunity to cover a tornado situation, a simulated fire emergency and a MRSA scare. As members of the press, they have also attended school and village board meetings, a congressional press conference with presidential candidate John McCain, and the NIU memorial for shooting victims. Likewise, they've continued to successfully operate the Krier as a self-sustaining business, raising more than $10,000 in advertising support and using some of the proceeds to purchase a cutting-edge digital SLR camera.
During Scholastic Journalism Week, we commend these hard-working students who so seriously pursue journalism and conscientiously produce the student paper, giving their peers a voice while learning to express themselves responsibly through thoughtful decision making.
A personal thank you goes as well to all in the district and community who have been so accommodating of and helpful to our young journalists in their quest for truth and balanced critical thinking.
Laurie Erdmann
Journalism Instructor and Krier Adviser
Kaneland High School
Maple Park