Par for the Course | Quinn Satterlund
The air in the high school gymnasium was charged with excitement as dozens of bright-eyed students bustled around, eager to explore the different booths set up for the incoming freshman elective fair. The atmosphere was electric as all the unique programs vied for attention, each with its own unique selling point.
It was behind one of those booths that I sat, eager to pitch our unique journalism program to these starry-eyed, prepubescent future Ravens. As someone who moved into the district during COVID, I thought it was an excellent opportunity to introduce our program to potential new students and explain the benefits of joining the school newspaper, something that I never really got to experience.
For those that have forgotten how these elective fairs tend to go, it was held in the school gymnasium, and each club or elective had a booth set up to showcase their offerings. The atmosphere was electric, with students milling around, checking out the different displays, and chatting with current teachers and students about the vast course selection that CCA offers.
Luckily for us, the Pulse booth managed to attract a lot of attention. With our beautiful copies laid out across the white folding table, which we continuously handed out to interested students, we were able to amass a constant stream of interested students. To further our pitch, I highlighted the benefits of joining the school newspaper, such as developing writing skills, building a portfolio, and being part of a community of like-minded individuals.
One of the things that sets our program apart, I had emphasized, is the freedom we give our writers. Unlike many high school newspapers, we have complete editorial independence, which means we get to choose the stories we cover and have full creative control over the content we produce. This was a big selling point for many students, who were excited at the prospect of having their voices heard and making a difference in their school community.
Another aspect of our program that generated a lot of interest was our focus on digital media. We produce a print edition of the magazine once a quarter, but most of our content is published online, allowing us to reach a wider audience and experiment with different formats such as video, audio, and interactive graphics.
I also emphasized the many opportunities for growth and leadership within our program. We have a strong tradition of mentorship, with experienced writers guiding and supporting newer members. We also offer several editorial positions, such as copy editors and creative directors, which provide students with valuable leadership experience.
Overall, I felt that the elective fair was a great success. We spoke to many enthusiastic students who were eager to learn more about our program and sign up for our Intro to Journalism class. I was heartened to see so many young people interested in pursuing journalism, especially in the current climate where media literacy is more important than ever.
In addition to promoting our program, I also took the opportunity to explore some of the other offerings at the fair. There were so many interesting electives to choose from, ranging from sociology to Chinese to College Apps Seminar. It was inspiring to see the diverse range of interests and talents available for the incoming freshman class.
As a journalist, I believe in the power of community and the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives. The student elective fair was an excellent example of this, bringing together students from all walks of life and showcasing the many opportunities available to them. I am proud to be part of a school that values creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning, and I look forward to seeing the many great things that our new students will accomplish in the coming years.