While many are aware of the Reedy Newspaper, most do not know the team behind the pen and the intricacies of the department.

The newspaper team is constantly evolving and growing. This year, especially, OPENDen is gaining momentum as they start new initiatives. The newspaper department has long produced excellent stories and journalists.

“Newspaper has grown tremendously,” newspaper teacher Brielle Hall said. “The number of writers on the newspaper has increased from five to now 18 students. Our goals for the newspaper are to give opportunities, grow our numbers, and promote the organization.”

The current environment in the newspaper has evolved into something the students cherish. Many appreciate the blend of an educational and relaxed atmosphere.

“It’s a really calming environment to be in,” newspaper student Tessa Krueger said. “And I feel like I’m always in a better mood when I’m in the newspaper [class].”

Some students take on bigger roles in the newspaper with the goal of creating a more rigorous environment.

“I think before, the environment was very laid back,” editor-in-chief Presley Sockwell said, “but this year, as editor, I’m trying to be more on top of it, especially because we’ve grown so much.”

Not only do newspaper students enjoy the environment, they also learn valuable skills that contribute to their personal development.

“[The newspaper] has helped me with my confidence a lot,” Sockwell said. “It’s taught me a lot about being able to go up and talk to people and search for new things and look at things from a different perspective.”

Furthermore, students have learned important life values while being on the newspaper team.

“I think I’ve learned a lot about how to collaborate and communicate better through last year in journalism and then these past couple of weeks in newspaper,” student Iha Karthikeyan said.

One student identifies the newspaper as an extremely important extracurricular that helps along their career path.

“I do think that it’ll be helpful for pretty much any career that anyone decides to pursue,” assistant editor Kaela Thomas said. “Writing skills are really important, and being able to research and interview people and learn about things that you didn’t know before is helpful for any career.”

Some students have gained a new perspective on potential career choices through the newspaper.

“I plan on going into the film industry, and I feel like this class gives me a leg up in that by exposing me to the media and what stories and journalism look like,” student Makenna Nasche said. “I have that insight for when I go into the other side of being a journalist.”

The newspaper team is full of passionate and innovative writers. These students express excited anticipation for future projects and stories.

“We’re going to have a print newspaper this year, and I am really, really, really excited for that because I just think it will be such a cool opportunity,” Sockwell said. “It’ll be something new for us, for sure.”

Newspaper students are steadily gazing ahead to a bright and creative future on the team.

“I’m looking forward to our printed newspaper,” Thomas said. “I think that’ll be really exciting and cool.”

There is much to look forward to this year from the newspaper team, and everyone can agree that the newspaper is being raised to a new standard.

“I just feel like we’re really elevating the newspaper this year,” Sockwell said. “I am so grateful for this program and the people in it.”