Since 2018, the Golden Gazette has been publishing articles and reporting around Eisenhower’s campus. Seven years after its founding by former junior, Yanira Rosas, Journalism has now expanded from a club to an official class for next year eagles. I asked Mr. Davis, Senior English teacher and advisor for the school newspaper, to expand on what this means for the future of Ike.
What is Journalism?
Journalism is an elective course accessible to all grade levels. It will be located in the new A building after summer, in room 208. In our Q&A, Mr. Davis explains that students who sign up will make up part of the Golden Gazette. Learning to format articles, find copyright free images, and journalist ethics and careers, “much like students who take the yearbook class whose work goes towards making the yearly published school Yearbook.”
When asked about how the class will affect the club, he states, “It is because of the club that we have the class. The club is a great place for all students to learn about journalism and then if they want to be more involved they can join the class. The journalism club is a great place for all students at Eisenhower to participate in writing articles for the Golden Gazette thus the only change to the club is it will no longer be the only source of content for the Golden gazette. The club will have opportunities that the class will not and vice versa.”
Both the class and club will be working together. However, there is a major difference. Eagles looking to pursue professional skills and to be formally educated, the class would suit them best. Those who want more creative freedom and experimentation should talk to Davis during the second lunch or after school to join the club. Though both are beneficial to anyone, regardless of their career aspirations.
Why Journalism?
Most students still have room to grow when it comes to meeting college-level writing standards which is completely normal and doesn’t reflect our intelligence or potential. For example, when I was in Mr. Davis’s class, our English performance tasks were reviewed by actual college professors. The average score came out to around a C-, even for students who usually earned A’s. It was eye-opening, but also a great learning experience. It showed us how high the expectations can be in college, and helped us see where we could improve.
Might be odd to bring up, but what the professors were looking for was proper grammar, sentence structure, and most importantly, voice.
“Journalism has a lot to offer students yet the most important thing is a voice, the opportunity to have their opinion heard on topics that matter to them and to the rest of the student body.” Stated Davis, when asked what students would gain from the class, “They also have the opportunity to give voices to students and groups that would otherwise go unheard. Journalism is also an opportunity to actually use all the writing skills they have been taught throughout their educational career and through this class every student will be a published journalist and will leave with a writing portfolio that they can take to a job interview or college.”
Voice is the personalized style of writing seen in a person’s work, which allows them to express themselves in a way only they could. Not only is it important for writers to understand themselves and what they want to say, but for everyone to be able to communicate freely and effectively exactly what they need to say. Which, besides from creative thinking, another skill pursued by recruiters and employers, boosts the chance for a person to go farther in their careers, education, and personal lives.
THE EAGLES EYE
I decided to ask him why Eisenhower specifically needed journalism, what would Ike students gain from having journalism as an elective. He answered, “The simplest reason students at Eisenhower Deserve a Journalism class as they have asked for it.”
Before 2018, Eisenhower only had the Eagles Eye print, which was started back in the 1950’s around the founding of the school. It would take 68 years for Yanira to go up to Mr. Davis and ask, “Why does Eisenhower not have a school newspaper?” and “Can we start one?” Creating the Golden Gazette, the Eagle Eye’s online successor. After 5 years of running, the club has grown big enough to persuade both students and admin to consider it as an elective. Giving eagles the opportunity to grow as creative writers, and to understand that their voices matter.
“Not every Eisenhower Graduate is going to go to college yet college professors see the value of journalism skills in the workplace, in the end it is a class that will benefit all students who actively participate in the class.”
After Last Year’s Seniors
This generation of seniors will go on to start their lives outside of high school. Leaving behind friends, making new connections, and becoming their own person. However, for the next generation, they will be experiencing the things we put down. The new buildings, classes, and events, they are the ones who will see it all.
For the future of the Golden Gazette, I asked “What do you plan for the future of the Golden Gazette and Eisenhower student writing as a whole?” To which Mr. Davis respond.
“I am a dreamer and I have big dreams of what the Golden Gazette can be one day. But it is the students who should truly guide the future of this paper as from the beginning this has been a student driven endeavor. I will be here to give ideas, support student ideas and to guide the journalists of the Golden Gazette to a bright future yet what that future is, is ultimately up to them.”
I asked Mr. Davis “Is there anything more you would like to add? via questions, comments, or concerns.”
“My biggest concern is that one day students will not want to write, that they feel that their voice does not matter. The truth is their voice matters and when they express themselves people will listen. I hope that students who take the class, during the 25/26 school year enjoy the class, enjoy writing, enjoy having a voice and being heard, enjoy bringing attention to issues in our world and at Eisenhower to light, and I hope they encourage other students to continue the Tradition of Excellence…”
Journalism In The Classroom
After summer break, students will be able to take Journalism as an elective class. It will be available for next generation students of any grade level, and will be one of the things that kick start the new era of Eisenhower High School, adding on to the school’s legacy, and future eagles writing confidence. For more information, you can email Mr. Davis ([email protected]), or set up a meeting on the school website to speak with your counselors. We look forward to seeing more Eisenhower writers for the Gazette, show us what you have to say.
