New journalism students work diligently as they try to finish their rough drafts by the deadline. Photo by: Elizabeth Jackson

By Elizabeth Jackson

Once again, Plymouth High School has changed trimesters. With the new trimester, 11 new students have joined journalism to transform themselves into writers.

In addition to senior Shelby Harrell, sophomores Beth Jackson and Maeson Coffin and freshman Sophia Keller, journalism has added eleven new students to the class. Senior Mai Takeuchi is a foreign exchange student from Japan and has chosen to take journalism because “I like taking pictures and reading. Then it also help for improving English.” Sophomores Chandy Schuler, Bre Martin, Krysta Cantero, Tailer Smerekanich and Alicia Sanchez have also decided to join the paper. Sanchez said, “I chose to take journalism because, even though I think I’m a good writer, I realize that there’s still room for improvement. The old [saying] “practice makes perfect” describes my frame of mind pretty well. I love to write, whether it’s short poems or lengthy fanfiction. I aspire to become a professional writer, working on some of my favorite video game series alongside other amazing writers.” Along with the senior and sophomores, five freshmen have decided to join journalism as well. Savannah Haack, Cameron Maddox, Emory Smith, Daisy Lewis and Ashley Liggins are all new journalists. Lewis said her writing inspiration is “Ellen Hopkins because her books are very well written and form many different perspectives.” Among the new students, there are many other writing inspirations.

Taking Mrs. Gifford’s words of advice, some of the new journalism students are realizing the areas they need to improve. Photo by: Elizabeth Jackson

The way an author writes could be crucial to if a reader likes a book or not. Smith has a writing inspiration of her own. “I am inspired by fictional novel-writers such as: J.K Rowling, Harper Lee, Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Lemony Snicket,  J. R. R. Tolkien, Madeleine L’Engle, and C. S. Lewis. Additionally, I am inspired by non-fictional writers such as: Maya Angelou, Eric Schlosser, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Jon Krakauer. These writers connect with a variety of people, not because they write about popular subjects, but because they write with passion. I grew up reading some of these authors and learned from others.” Like Smith, Schuler has had her writing inspirations with her since childhood, but in a different way. “I feel that my biggest writing inspirations are my fellow classmates. We all do the same assignments, yes, but everyone has a different way of writing. They are inspirations to me because most of them have a constant desire to expand their writing skills.” Although both Schuler and Smith have had their writing inspirations with them since they were children, some students are not sure if they even have a writing inspiration. Cantero said, “I’m just a beginner when it comes to writing so I don’t really have an inspiration yet.” There are many ways students could have heard about the class.

Because the school paper is now online rather than on hard copy distributed to the student body, some may not know much about the paper. There are many different ways for the students who have decided to join the class to have heard about it. “I heard from my guidance counselor,” said Liggins. Along with Liggins, Maddox heard about the class from a member of the PHS staff. “I heard through my english teacher Ms. Dorland and I had heard a little about it from a few of my friends that had taken it and seemed to like it.” Along with members of the PHS staff, a member of the newspaper has been helping the newspaper get heard. “I had only heard about it from my friend, Beth. I saw her posts on Twitter,” said Haack. Along with Haack, Smerekanich had heard about the paper from the same person. “I had heard about journalism from Beth Jackson and also Mrs. Gifford,” said Smerekanich. Outside of class, students have other opportunities to write.

There are just as many topics to write about as there are places to write. One student is taking both yearbook and journalism. “I also am in Yearbook so I do a lot of writing there,” said Maddox. Although yearbook is offered at the school, there are other places students write. “I write in my journal,” said Smerekanich. Along with Smerekanich, Sanchez writes at home. “I often write short stories of my own, as well as a bit of fanfiction, and I’m quite proud of them,” said Sanchez. Picturing life ten years down the road may seem a little far off, but there are a number of the new students who know exactly where they want to be.

“I just know that I will be living at the beach,” said Haack. “In 10 years, I see myself being a radiologist somewhere in Florida. I think that journalism will help me reach this goal in terms of communications with others,” said Schuler. Haack is not the only one who plans to live somewhere warm. Along with wanting to have an occupation in the medical field, Takeuchi wants to be a surgeon. “In medical school studying to be a surgeon. I feel as if taking journalism could help me get into a good school,” said Takeuchi. Not all the new students wish to partake in an occupation within the medical field. “I see myself living in a big city with a career that hopefully has to do with photography and journalism. Yes, I think this class will make me a stronger writer,” said Maddox. With each new student added to journalism adds a new perspective on a story.

With each new face added into journalism are many stories that are sure to come.