The last two years writing for The Churchill Observer have been some of the most educationally rewarding years of my high school career. I never imagined when I was signing up for my junior year classes that the snap decision to sign up for journalism would have such an impact on my life. Not only did I learn important writing skills, not typically included in normal English courses, but I was inspired to pursue journalism and communications at American University next fall.
As the Observer’s Social Media and Photo Manager, I got to experience firsthand the ways in which modern journalism goes beyond the page. From choosing the photos that captured school events, to managing our online presence, I learned how to engage with WCHS students in real time.
In addition to learning social media skills, I learned how to write like a journalist. Writing in the journalistic style requires more clarity, conciseness and neutrality than any of the writing expected in English classes, as journalists have a moral responsibility to report accurately and fairly. This quality of the journalistic style is something I will carry with me to college and beyond. Writing for a target audience on deadline made me really understand what it means to be a communicator, and this made me a stronger writer. Working in both the newsroom and completing all those Radical Writes that Ms. Zitnik assigned us to do as Journalism 1 students, though I hate to admit it, taught me about the power of storytelling, credibility and the way media influence public opinion. It was this awareness that made me want to study communications at American University.
One of the highlights of my time on the Observer staff was attending the Columbia Scholastic Press Association conference in New York City. Sitting with other student journalists who shared the same passion and listening to lectures from professionals in the field gave me an even greater appreciation for the world of journalism.
Other than the academics, I truly have made some good friends through the paper. Class activities such as the New York trip, the monthly bonding games we would play in class or even just brainstorming ideas for the next issue, brought me closer to my fellow staff members.
