PHS students learn journalism

The class only meets once a week. The rest of the week, Portales High School journalism students are out in the field getting hands-on experience.

Students say learning journalism and working on the Portales School News Page, which runs at the back of the Friday edition of the Portales News-Tribune, has taught them responsibility and teamwork.

"You have to be responsible because a lot of people count on you to do your job," said junior Vanessa Chavez. "They count on you to do yours so they can do theirs."

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Portales High School Junior and Portales School News Editor Anna George edits copy. George says she plans to be editor next year and has developed journalism as one of her passions.

The class' teacher Tamara Price said she's impressed with how Chavez and her other students will to get out there and get stories. Price says the class finished publishing for this school year earlier this month, but will return for its fourth year in the fall.

The class published 28 pages for the Portales News-Tribune this year.

"One of our administrators suggested that we start a journalism class during the 2010-2011 school year," Price said. "Principal (Melvin) Nusser brought the idea to me and asked if I'd be interested. From there we just ran with it."

The page encompasses news from the entire district and Price says her students take cameras and equipment and visit the schools in the district to find news.

"We couldn't have a strong publication if the entire district wasn't on board," Price said. "We really appreciate them letting our kids in the building."

Price is impressed with how her students cover for each other when other activities such as athletics and band conflict with the production of the paper.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Sophomore Dylan Knox says the journalism class helped him break out of his shell. He said the first story he wrote was about the high school remodeling.

"That's what I try to build with them, community and teamwork," Price said.

Price says that type of teamwork to reach an ultimate goal is what life will be like after high school and she's glad they are getting prepared.

"In life, there are some deadlines that have to be met," Price said. "Knowing they don't want to let the newspaper down has really fueled their drive."

The class has also exposed students to the world beyond Portales. The Portales News-Tribune provides scholarships for students to attend the New Mexico Press Association's annual journalism workshops. The newspaper also helps with supplies. Editor and junior Anna George said the workshops have been amazing because they have taught her a lot of new ways of writing.

George has been in the class since its inception.

"It means a lot because it's a good place for creative criticism," George said of the journalism workshops. "You get to meet people from all over the state. It has bettered me as an editor."

George says she's always had a passion for writing, but attending the workshops has brought out the investigative journalist in her.

"I like to make people squirm in their seats with my questions," George said.

She has plans to return as editor in the fall.

Sophomore Dylan Knox said he joined the class initially thinking it would look good on college applications but what he did in the class even surprised him. "The first story I did, I interviewed the principal about the school's remodeling," Knox said. "It taught me a lot of social skills." He also found he has a knack for taking photos.

One lesson he'll never forget is to refrain from procrastinating.

"I used to wait to the very last day to do an assignment," Knox said. "But I'll remember to do my assignments early because people count on me."