So You Wanna Do Journalism?
Here’s a fun fact about me: In my Freshman year, I genuinely had no idea how you got involved with high school journalism. There wasn’t any obvious path- I mean, what’s the difference between ‘Journalistic Publishing’ and ‘Journalistic Reporting’, surely they go hand in hand, right?
Well, unfortunately, they don’t, but that’s okay because this is a proper guide on how to get involved with journalism.
Broadcasting
Broadcasting has the most straightforward path to joining. There are 2 main pathways to broadcasting. The first is taking Intro to Broadcast Journalism, which is offered once during the first semester and twice second semester. However, unlike Newspaper and Yearbook’s intro classes, this class is also offered over summer school, meaning you can take it before freshman year and join staff immediately as a Reporter.
Broadcasting Class Guide:
There are three levels of broadcasting classes, containing Broadcast Journalism I, II, and III. Broadcast Journalism I students mainly focus on reporting for the program, however, can (and are required to do at least one per semester) volunteer for a live broadcast. Broadcasting I is required to be taken for at least one semester after joining the program.
Broadcast Journalism II is aimed at sports reporting and requires students to do ten live broadcasts and help cover sports during class. Broadcast Journalism III is a class designed for producers and editors, who are required to help manage, edit, and produce Tribal Review, help Broadcasting I students with their stories, and work on one live broadcast per semester.
Newspaper
Newspaper’s path requires taking Journalistic Reporting, which is only offered once during the first semester. This is the main path to get involved with the Newspaper, however, students not in the newspaper may still contribute/pitch stories to The Signal, and students with one year of Broadcast Journalism may request to join the newspaper staff going into their Junior year (I took this path!).
Into the Newsroom
The Newspaper class itself is called Mass Media Production, which mainly consists of Reporters, who are required to publish one story per month. However, some students may also be designated Editors, who are both required to publish a story monthly and help reporters edit their stories to read well and fit the AP Stylebook guidelines. As of now, there is no print edition of The Signal.
Yearbook
The intro class to Yearbook is Journalistic Publishing, which is offered once during the first semester. This class allows students to enrol in Yearbook Production the following school year.
Creating the Yearbook
Yearbook Production students focus on creating spreads (pages) of the Yearbook, obtaining quotes for it, and taking photos. Yearbook also has Editorial Leadership, a class taking place throughout the day where students edit and design the Yearbook, while also helping the rest of the Yearbook staff obtain quotes/photos.
Photography
Photographic Technology is a class offered in both the first and second semesters during the first half of the day. It is the intro class, covering the history of photography, and how to operate and use a camera. Students also learn how to use Photoshop.
Advanced Photography
Advanced Photographic Technology is a class offered after taking Photographic Technology. Students in this class are required to take photos for the yearbook, covering sports games and the school during and after the day. Advanced Photographic Technology also manages the photos for the Youth Leagues around the district.
Recommendations – From the News Editor
As the news editor for The Signal during the 2023-2024 school year, I also got some of the Broadcasting and Yearbook experience as well. My recommendations for Journalism are as follows:
Photographic Technology – I generally recommend everyone interested in Journalism take Photo Tech at some point. The focus on photography applies to all aspects of media production and gives a better way to understand content creation when working for a Newspaper or a Yearbook. Advanced Photographic Technology is good for people wanting to expand on their photographic knowledge and build up their portfolio, while also helping the yearbook staff.
Broadcasting – Ever wanted to make a video? This is for you. Broadcasting focuses not just on interviewing and reporting – but also focuses a lot on filming, editing, and publishing news media. From the weekly Tribal Review news show to Hype Videos to fun student-run segments focusing on other things in student life (Such as ‘KC Gets Critiqued’ sports show and the upcoming ‘Jaxon’s Jukebox’ music show).
Newspaper – Do you like writing and getting to meet new people? You’d fit right in. The Signal is Fort Osage’s student-run school & community online newspaper, publishing stories every Thursday to provide more news coverage of the school, highlighting things that sometimes just don’t fit into Tribal Review. Reporters also get to learn how to write with the AP Stylebook, expanding on their own professional writing portfolio.
Yearbook – Do you like design, editing, interviewing, and photography? This is probably up your alley. Yearbook reporters get to create spreads covering every aspect of the school throughout the year and highlight the student’s accomplishments and activities. Yearbook is a great class for meeting people, understanding editing, and what goes into publishing a product.
Getting involved with Fort Osage Journalism is a great way to add another extracurricular to your portfolio, while also giving you an amazing way to learn new life skills in communication and media production. While it may not seem like you need every skill you’ll learn, everyone can take something away from this program.
