Connections between area high school journalism programs, college
Rachel Meaney
Staff Writer
As a freshman here at Bridgewater State University, I wondered how the clubs and activities I had participated in at my high school, Bridgewater Raynham Regional High School (BR for short), were doing. Since I had just joined the campus newspaper, I decided to look into BR’s newspaper club to ask some questions about how they promote the art of journalism and other inquiries about the club itself. My interview was with Mrs. Barbara Murdoch, one of the faculty advisors of the newspaper club via email.
Q: How long has the newspaper club at BR been around?
A: The club has been around for 5 years.
Q: How many members for the club do you have a year?
A: We have between 10 to 15 members.
Q: Why do you think so many students are interested in journalism and the newspaper?
A: Most of the members enjoy writing and are interested in what is happening in the building–events, clubs, etc.
Q: How do you and the other faculty promote the newspaper club and journalism?
A: Due to our Friday Newspa-per Page, many faculty members utilize the club to promote their activities.
Q: Why do you think that in today’s society that learning about journalism can be important and helpful to students?
A: Unfortunately, due to the internet, the newspaper industry is suffering so this club encourages the students to pick up the newspaper and read it.
Q: How do you think other schools around the country can promote the importance of journalism and newspaper?
A: By forming partnerships with the local newspaper.
Q: Did you participate in any high school journalism or newspaper writing course when you were in school? If so, did your interest also carry into your activities at college? How did you become interested in journalism?
A: I did not participate but have always loved to write.
Q: What is your favorite part about advising the newspaper club at the high school?
A: Working with the students and seeing the finished product at the end of the week.
Q: How did you start your partnership with the Brockton Enterprise for the BR Newspaper page begin?
A: Actually, the editor of the paper lives in town and we know him–my husband worked at the Enterprise for many years. We ran into him in town one day, started talking about the fact that I am one of the club advisors and he offered us the opportunity to have the weekly page.
Q: Lastly, what classes do you offer to students that promote journalism and the importance of the written word?
A: We offer a journalism class as well as AP English Composi-tion.
As a member of BSU’s news-paper, The Comment, I am glad to hear that BR’s newspaper club is alive and well, so that the love of journalism can continue into future generations. I know last year as a member I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of that club, and that was my inspiration for joining The Comment, so that I could continue my interest in journalism and media.
Rachel Meaney is a Comment staff writer.
