Adviser’s Note: The following is an opinion piece, as well as an advertisement for our publication.
The Colt Chronicle is always looking for passionate and hard-working students who have a love for writing and journalism; and, not only are we the best in-person club, but we’re also the best quarantine club.
All news, all the time
COVID, no COVID. Virtual, not virtual. No matter what, the news never sleeps. We don’t stop or take breaks because of a global pandemic. In fact, it’s during times like these that newspapers and publications (even those of a high school level) become vital to gathering the latest information on the state of the country, virus, world, and more. Just as Ida B. Wells-Barnett stated, “The people must know before they can act, and there is no educator to compare with the press.” The news, at its very core and purpose, is to provide information to the public and help inform and educate them on matters they would otherwise not have information on.
As a student-run newspaper, the Colt Chronicle is the same. We strive to provide relevant news in all aspects of the school, local and world news, arts and entertainment, STEM, and more.
We have adapted to face every challenge
Stemming from the last point, the Colt Chronicle has adapted to a socially distant and virtual platform (all minus the hassle and confusion typically associated with clubs that aren’t as organized). However, the editorial staff along with English teacher Alana Van Der Sluys, the adviser of the Colt Chronicle, have continuously faced all problems head-on, either fixing them or coming up with ways to minimize the issues and their effects. With our organization and consistency, our publication is prepared to take on any other challenge that will be thrown towards us, allowing us to continue publishing articles via the web and even through our print issues.
College-readiness and resumes
When colleges ask what you did during your time spent in quarantine, you don’t want to have a difficult time responding. Instead, filling your time with the personal and professional development opportunities you can experience while in the Colt Chronicle is something that is sure to impress any and every college admissions counselor; not to mention the skills you will acquire while in the club include both hard and soft skills such as Adobe InDesign, writing skills, communication, responsibility, leadership, interviewing skills, and more.
The best academic club in the school
The Colt Chronicle isn’t just a club; the deeper you get into it, the more sense you get that you have joined a community of like-minded individuals, all of which are driven, self-motivated, and enthusiastic to learn and write. The skills learned while participating in this club are tremendous and will help you far more than any A+ in school. From both interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, to responsibility and ethics, to communication and leadership (and more!), the newspaper club is the best academic club in school in terms of learning new skills and experiencing new opportunities. Not to mention, there are numerous other state-wide organizations you can join such as the Garden State Scholastic Press Association (GSSPA), New Voices, and more. In addition, there are some amazing opportunities to win writing, journalism, and photography awards through state-wide competitions.
Just imagine snuggling up in a cozy blanket while writing
Especially with winter fast-approaching, grabbing a mug of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and writing while cozying up with fluffy blankets sounds great. Not to mention, it never hurts to write; after all, improving our writing skills helps you out in every part of your life. And, if you enjoy your time while writing, you’re even more likely to write, thus improving your skills and passing your time.
