The new Oahu Student Journalism Leadership Council hosted its first event Saturday, Oct. 5, at McKinley High School. Seventeen Oahu high school and college student journalists attended “Lunch and Journalism.”
Event coordinators Swan Kim (Punahou), Cheska Orias (McKinley) and Katie Troske (Mid-Pac) prepared games, lunch and sharing opportunities. In addition to Punahou, McKinley and Mid-Pac, schools represented were Mililani, Moanalua and Kapiolani Community College.
The day started with Find-Someone-Who Bingo, followed by a headline-creation game called “Man Bites Dog.”
After a lunch of pizza, Crumbl cookies and juice, the students had time to talk in groups about journalism projects they have or will work on, challenges they faced as student journalists, staff organization tips, etc.
As students entered the event, they completed a sign-in Google Form that asked why they wanted to attend “Lunch and Journalism.” Connecting with other student journalists was the main reason.
“I am attending this event because I’m interested in meeting other people interested in journalism and writing,” Shyleiah Hanawahine, one of four attendees from McKinley, said.
Moanalua sent two student journalists. One of them, Leilani Acosta, said, “I attended this event to learn more about the community behind journalism.”
Jullia Young, one of four attendees from Mililani, wanted to connect and learn.
“I attended this event in the hopes of getting to know other fellow journalists and to learn how to improve our school newspaper,” she said.
Jaylenn Jay-Abe, also from Mililani, said she always enjoyed writing and had an interest in joining a writing club since elementary school.
Grace Pu, one of three Punahou attendees, said she is new to journalism writing and came to the event to learn more about it.
Attendees had various reasons for getting involved in student journalism.
Jack Ibara, one of three Mid-Pac students attending the event, said his friend convinced him to join the journalism class. He said he thought it would help him with his writing and social skills.
“So far it’s a lot more work than I thought it needed but it’s been fun,” he said.
New Moanalua journalist Camille Irurita-Corpuz said she was inspired to enroll in the journalism class because the adviser is a teacher she has taken classes from before.
Maile Dunn of Punahou said she would love to pursue a career in writing.
“I am super interested in journalism and current events,” she said. “I am eager to spread awareness on important topics and educate the community on pressing issues.”
The students also had an opportunity to share what they are proud of in their journalism career.
Madison Choo of Mililani wrote a story relating to the construction happening at her school. She is proud that, after publishing it, the superintendent Keith Hayashi and assistant superintendent Brian Hallet read the story.
Malia Manuel of McKinley is proud of writing five articles since becoming a student journalist. Nhi Nguyen, also of McKinley, said she is proud that one of her articles earned a Best of SNO award.
Makayla Dilliner, a freshman at KCC, said she likes to meet people, share their stories, investigate and research. She is proud to have had her journalism published in MidWeek, Star Advertiser, and Hawaii Parent Magazine. The project she said she is most proud of is the fifty alumni articles she wrote her senior year at Kalaheo High School to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Ka Leo O Kalāheo.
The final activity of the day was creating a mission statement together.