Maddie Keller
The Hawk-Eye
One of the most important school activities for students to participate in is journalism. Being involved in journalism allows students to better understand journalistic writing.
At Hiawatha High School, journalism allows our staff to learn more about events happening in our community. For example, we write about homecoming, Maple Leaf Festival, local fairs, and flea markets, among many other things.
Student involvement in journalism gives students a chance to use their voice to write about issues going on in their community. This is crucial because students can oftentimes feel out of control when it comes to things happening around their community.
The Hawk-Eye is made up of student journalists from the Journalism class at HHS. The make-up of the staff changes from year to year and is led by teacher/adviser Mrs. Libby Dean. This semester the Journalism staff is made up of nine students.
According to our Hawk Eye website, “In addition to learning and practicing journalistic writing, the staff creates a monthly publication called Hawk Talks, contributes writing to the Hiawatha World, and participates in various writing contests, including KSPA’s regional and state contests.”
“I think student involvement in journalism is important because it helps kids voice their opinions,” said HHS Hawk-Eye staff member Olivia Hawks. “It allows them to get into looking at news and researching subjects and preparing them for college. It is important as students can get involved in their community.”
Under the Kansas Student Publications Act, student journalists and their opinions are protected. According to the law, students have the right to publish controversial matters as long as they are not “libelous, slanderous, or obscene.” This law also states that instructors may not be persecuted for something a student has written.
“Student journalism is important because it shows that students have opinions and they should not be scared to express these opinions,” said HHS Hawk-Eye staff member Taryn Keller.
