This year, Zachary High School students came together to get their voices back. The school previously had a newspaper, Hoofprints, which ended in 2014. Students decided to tackle the challenge of bringing back their beloved print journalism.

High school journalism is a heavily debated topic among school boards across the United States as budget cuts pressure educators to make tough decisions pertaining to certain programs. Journalism programs are among the first to go in order to allot more money toward classes and programs designed to improve scores on standardized testing.

Jack Dvorak, director of the High School Journalism Institute and a professor of the School of Journalism at Indiana University, organized research which concluded that students who participate in journalism programs score higher ACT scores and English grades, and achieve better high school and college grade point averages. The study also indicated that high school journalism involvement is a positive influence on minority students.

Having these programs in secondary education has proven to have long-term academic and social benefits. Students’ interests in subject matter can have a large influence on what they decide to study in college. With journalism programs students can gain hands-on experience in writing, photography, interviewing, editing, and other skills, which they would have a hard time finding access to anywhere else.

The state of Kansas has almost eliminated funding towards high school journalism programs completely, their reason being the profession no longer offers gainful career opportunities. The logic behind their decision is absurd. When employers are looking to hire someone to work for and represent their company, they want knowledgeable employees that respect and honor deadlines, produce thorough content, possess good writing skills and think analytically.

All of those qualities can be taught through practice and experience in high school journalism. Employers want leaders and good team players. Working with 30 other people to try and accomplish one goal with stressful deadlines and heavy responsibilities teaches you how to be efficient and thorough the first time.  They have to fact check, edit and re-write articles, like a small-scale professional newspaper.

There are benefits beyond academia as well, such as student empowerment. Not everyone wants be the football captain, class president or prom queen. This form of expression is another way to get students involved and make them feel connected in school. High school is terrible enough as it is; not finding a place you fit in can make it even worse. If there is money for the sports teams and art departments to shell out on new equipment and materials, there should be room for a student-run journalism program.

I would not be a mass communication major today if it wasn’t for my high school journalism programs. I worked with intelligent people for four years who loved to write and who helped nurture my own love for writing. Having the chance to write articles for my school and community led me to so many great opportunities and, ultimately, led me to my major and to this university.

By giving high school students the opportunity to participate in newspapers and yearbooks, they have a place to produce content for their peers. Working with different demographics of students promotes cooperation and constructive thought. It is a shame budget cuts and school board members are hindering the growth of high school journalism. However, student news is not something that can just be swept under the rug. These programs need to be looked at as more than just an extra class that is placed below core classes on the totem pole of importance. Journalism builds character and improves academic performance. While math, science, history and English core classes are important and help with ACT, SAT and state tests scores, journalism programs are just as crucial to a holistic education. High schools should be looking for sponsors or making small cuts in multiple other departments to encourage journalism program development. Journalism is the open door that students utilize to interact and connect with the crazy world outside their high school. It’s crucial they do not lose that.  
Casey Pimentel is an 18-year-old mass communication freshman from The Woodlands, Texas.