Preaching to the Choir: School Newspaper Apathy

Click to view image

Preaching to the Choir: School Newspaper Apathy

Editorial 

Brittni Cebulak 

           Each year, the few members that exist in Journalism Staff that write for the school newspaper spend countless hours spitting out story after story in order to contribute to the OHS Spectator online paper—but for what purpose? Who cares about what we have to say? Most of the time, it does feel as if I am “preaching to the choir” when I write a piece for the newspaper; in fact, I am certain that there are many students at OHS that do not even know that the school has its own paper, and I do know of several people who were thoroughly surprised once they had been informed of its existence. However, despite this fact, I have never felt discouraged when writing one of my articles because I do not write for anyone but myself, which is all due to my deep passion for writing itself.

            Still, I do think it is important for students at OHS to have at least a minimal amount of support for the Newspaper Staff; after all, we are the ones that are responsible for highlighting their momentary fame should they receive any, and it is almost our duty to be supportive of every sport and club at the school because we must report on them whenever necessary. Moreover, the J-Staff are the ones that write the history of the OHS—without us, each victory, each reward, each achievement, would be meaningless, ultimately forgotten with time. I do not think most students understand this—they are too accustomed to living in the here-and-now, not yet realizing that their time to shine is limited.

            With being a member of the Newspaper Staff at the OHS, you are granted the privilege and freedom to write what is on your mind, as I have done with this article, without fear of judgment—partly because the school audience is apathetic, partly because it is our First Amendment right, and we are very comfortable with exercising it. Still, I think I can speak for all of the members of J-Staff by saying that it would be nice to receive a little public recognition for our work every now and then—after all, we commit all of our time with recognizing every one else for their accomplishments.