Traverse City Students Take Ideas To Print
TRAVERSE CITY -- Some budding journalists are taking their ideas to print. Students at Willow Hill Elementary in Traverse City are creating a one of a kind newspaper. 5th grader Brendan Thompson says, "We do sports and weather and stuff. Just to inform people about what's happening at Willow Hills." Televised announcements are connecting students at the elementary school and now a new journalism venture is taking shape. 5th grader Sierra Falconer says, "I wanted to be on a newspaper because I like to write, but there wasn't anything in the school. I asked Mrs. Smith if we could start one." From a simple idea translated on paper, "Willow Words" is created by the students, for the students. Student Madeline Hillock says, "I love writing stories and I really wanted to do it since it's the first one." With 20 students taking part, the newspaper is teaching them how to work as a team. The cub-reporters take their jobs seriously, putting in extra time outside of the classroom to make this project a reality. "It has so much meaning to them", says Principal Colleen Smith. "They're investing so much of their time in recess, working on the newspaper and preparing for announcements, when they could be socializing with their friends." Whether it's writing an article or interviewing a local business, "Willow Words" is giving students the chance to create new interests in the world around them. Principal Colleen Smith says, "It's also tapping into those talents of the kids that may not otherwise shine in that way. So having the opportunity to tap into the interests side of the curriculum is really important." The newspaper is made possible thanks to a program called the Learn and Serve Project. Eventually students from Willow Hill Elementary will teach other students in the school district how to create a newspaper.
