Last year while choosing classes, Journalism was an automatic for me because I didn’t enjoy reading literature and writing essays. The idea of writing shorter pieces that could really influence readers appealed to me. I was nervous about writing in the newspaper, but that anxiety went away quickly when we started writing.

Mrs. Gordienko pushed us, and even though it was frustrating sometimes, I am grateful for it. She prepared us well for college. I am taking a college writing class, which most college freshmen take, next year and I feel ready. We got a review in our grammar and we learned a new style of writing, known as APA.

We learned how to be objective, which is not allowing our own beliefs to influence getting information out to the public. I do tend to lean more conservative in my political beliefs, but while writing pieces, especially editorials, I learned how to put that belief to the side to write to inform the audience. I do believe this is something every student should learn how to do. Not only is it learning how to be respectful and sensitive, but it helps when debating topics. In debates, you must leave your feelings out of your points and use research to be credible. In the profession of journalism, credibility is everything. To gain credibility you must be objective in the newspaper.

It helped that my best friends were in my class, Zoe and Julie, and we had so much fun! I was brought out of my comfort zone, but I needed that to grow. For example, reading pieces in front of the class and drawing comic strips. Unfortunately, we did not get to finish News Group, but they were awesome! We got to write an article for the newspaper every week as a group. It taught me group skills and how to work as a group to accomplish a task well.

In conclusion, taking Journalism at Pennridge will not be a mistake! Not only is Mrs. G going to be there for you academically and personally, but she prepares you for the future. You will learn real life skills, like thinking and writing objectively. You will also get some parties!  Even though I am leaving Pennridge, I keep saying “Once a Ram, always a Ram.” Journalism class made my last year the best year!