Former editor cites journalism value

Mr. Chris Grenz of Lenexa, Kansas wrote in support of the value of journalism class. Journalism classes across Kansas have received career and technical education funds from the State of Kansas. Under new guidelines taking effect in 2012, however, journalism classes will no longer receive these funds which were mainly used to offset the costs of computer publishing programs and equipment needed to create school newspapers, yearbooks and online news. This former editor of The Holtonian who became a professional journalist before attending KU law school speaks out in the following letter:

Aug. 25, 2010

To Whom It May Concern:

I’m writing tonight as a concerned taxpayer and parent. I’m also writing in my capacity as former editor of the Holton High School newspaper. I can assure you it’s been a long time since I’ve used that title.

My high school journalism class saved my life. Ok, it’s not as though I was actually going to die. But when I moved to Holton in the tenth grade, I knew no one and felt as though I didn’t quite fit in. My journalism class was the one place I really felt like I clicked. I made some friends and found my way.

When it was time to go to college, I seriously considered following in my mother’s footsteps and studying computer science. My mom correctly pointed out that my ACT scores in math were so-so, while English and reading were sky high. The guidance counselor suggested I stick with computers because there wasn’t any money in journalism. He was pretty much right. But so was my mother. So, once again, my high school journalism class rescued me and set me on my path.

The lessons I learned in my journalism class stuck with me for life. I learned the importance of deadlines. I learned basic business skills when it was time to sell ads. I learned to interview adults without feeling intimidated. I learned the two most important questions are always “how” and “why.” I learned the importance of accuracy. I learned to check the spelling of every name. Twice.

I went to college at Drake University, where I majored in journalism and served as executive editor of the student newspaper. I worked as a newspaper reporter in Kansas most of my career, including stints as the statehouse bureau chief at the Topeka Capital-Journal and as a Topeka correspondent for Harris News Service. But after working as a reporter for nearly a decade, I decided to return to school at the University of Kansas School of Law. I graduated last May, took the bar exam in July and soon will start work as a lawyer at an international law firm based in Missouri.

But make no mistake: I succeeded in law school because of my experience as a journalist.  Bottom line, a career spent in journalism provided me the key to succeeding in law school: ask a lot of questions and write fast.

I’ve covered politics and public policy in Kansas. I know what you’re up against. I’m told the Kansas State Department of Education views journalism courses as an attractive target because they “do not meet new standards of preparing students for ‘high demand,’ ‘high skill,’ and ‘high wage’ careers.” (I learned that, by the way, in a terrific column—in a newspaper! You can read it online here: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/something-done-right/2010/aug/23/ding-dong-the-yearbook-is/.)

I get that. I left journalism because the future of traditional print journalism is in an uncertain state of transition. Delivery methods will change. Newspapers will have to discover new business models that can sustain operating expenses.

But there will always be a need for gathering and disseminating the news.

High school journalism courses are already embracing new technologies and preparing students for the newsrooms of tomorrow. Sure, not every kid who participates will go on to a career in journalism. But many, in fact, will go on to jobs in which they will employ the lessons learned in high school journalism classrooms and laboratories. Beyond teaching the news gatherers and journalists of tomorrow, journalism provides a foundational core that serves students all of their lives. It would be shortsighted to cut a program that can play such an important role in shaping the futures of so many young Kansans.

In closing, I would simply add that my wife and I met in college, where we both studied journalism. She ended up at Drake because she was the editor of her high school paper, and her high school journalism teacher was a Drake grad. It would be a real shame if our son never had the opportunity to sit in a high school journalism course as well.

Sincerely,

Chris Grenz

Lenexa, KS