One of the joys of being a journalist is getting the chance to speak with students who are interested in what I do for a living. So when Kirstyn Smith asked if I’d speak at Brighton’s Seton Catholic School Oct. 12, I jumped at the chance. She and Estelle Rempe cofacilitate the school newspaper, The Seton Scoop.
Kirstyn sent me a sample of the Scoop prior to my visit, and I must say that I was impressed. The design and the contributions are top-notch. You can tell that the students are really into what they’re doing — they don’t treat the Scoop like some run-of-the-mill class assignment that’s been foisted upon them. This is something they want to do, and the fact that they produce the paper on their own time as an extracurricular activity proves it!
I was equally impressed when I met the group in person. About 15 students in second to sixth grades dropped by the school’s library to brainstorm ideas and make assignments for the paper’s December edition. Before the brainstorming got underway, I talked a bit about what it’s like to be a journalist. The kids were not only thoughtful and attentive, but they also had questions and weren’t afraid to ask them!
After I was done speaking, they got down to business. There was an abundance of good ideas and plenty of volunteers to bring those ideas to fruition. Everyone was enthusiastic and willing to help out.
I left Seton feeling excited and upbeat. Journalism is alive and well! There are youths who value newspapers! This is so rare today.
I hope these budding journalists keep up the good work on the Scoop, and maybe even consider journalism as a future profession.
If they do, the Fourth Estate will certainly be in good hands.
