The energy around our office has been unusually young and light lately: Seven high school students have been taking part in our Star Summer Academy these last two weeks, learning what it takes to become a real, live newspaper reporter.
These kids are curious, smart, and spirited. They’re asking great questions and are unafraid to tackle big subjects like voter registration, mental health, the environment, and public safety in our communities. They make no assumptions and approach every task with refreshingly honest enthusiasm. They’re making connections and learning skills that will serve them well in the future, whether or not they eventually become the next Jimmy Breslin or Nellie Bly.
They begin each day with a lesson on an icon who left a lasting impact on the field: folks like Marie Colvin, Murray Kempton, Moneta Sleet Jr., Carl Bernstein, and Bob Woodward. They do field work ranging from food reviewing to political campaign coverage to human interest profiles — valuable work that our readers will be able to see in the pages of The Star and on LTV’s public-access channels.
They’re growing as journalists before our eyes, and we’re fairly choked up. “Coming into this program I had no experience in journalism and now feel like I have a pretty good grasp on the basics,” one student wrote in a reflective exercise. “I learned that even in just a couple of minutes or seconds, one can convey really important messages,” another wrote.
That young people are interested in learning the craft of journalism is inspiring to us. Someday we’ll all retire from this business (theoretically, anyway). Who will be there to carry the torch forward? Who will hold our leaders accountable for their actions? Who will keep our community informed about school budgets or dangerous roadways? This generation will. If our Star Academy students represent an indicator of the future, our planet and our democracy are in good hands.