The Tyrone High School has an innovative newspaper class in which advisor Leah Dobrowolsky teaches students topics on the writing process, editing, photography and page design and layout. The class offers a unique experience for students in grades nine through twelve who are interested in a career in journalism or English.
The school newspaper titled The Eagle Eye produces periodically through the year. Dobrowolsky emphasizes different writing skills during each class period to make each issue better than the last. The “five W’s,” who, when, where, why and how and correctly quoting a source are just some of the topics covered in class.
“We’re realizing that writing is a process and the first time you write your article is not going to be what goes in,” said Dobrowolsky, “and for the kids to say that it’s okay that somebody else looks at the work and gives suggestions.”
The process for each issue starts with the newspaper staff coming together and brainstorming article ideas. The students find out from school personnel and other peers what important activities are going on. Then, each newspaper staff member chooses an article idea and gets it approved by Dobrowolsky.
A rough draft is produced, and then student editors look at the piece. After the article is ready for publication, other students lay out the articles on the pages by using the computer software program Publisher. Still more staff members take photographs and download the pictures or scan them to be placed in the newspaper.
It is an extremely busy process in which allows the students to realize the fast-paced world of a newsroom. To add to this idea, upon approval, a trip is planned for the class to visit The Daily Herald offices to see the workings of a real newspaper.
Dobrowolsky believes there are countless benefits of having a newspaper class at Tyrone High School.
“I think it gives the students an opportunity to see what’s going on,” she said. “They are getting news for activities they’re not involved in. One student wanted to write a recycling article because if it was published in her school newspaper, she could apply for a scholarship with it. It’s a way for them to express their views and interview people here that know stuff in a way that’s not class oriented.”
Dobrowolsky is a new edition to the staff of the Tyrone High School. She was recently hired in January of 2003 after graduating from Juniata College. She teaches ninth and tenth grade English in addition to advising the school newspaper. Her interests at Juniata included being an accompanist for the concert choir and acting and being back stage for theater.
“I wanted to do politics, theater and English, and I could do this all in a classroom,” said Dobrowolsky of why she became a teacher. “I thought we could act, we could talk about current events, and we could read literature. Plus, I’ve had teachers in my past that have made such an impact on my life.”
Dobrowolsky brings new energy, fresh ideas and a positive attitude to Tyrone High School, including the newspaper class. She only sees the program becoming better over the next couple of years.
“It has really great potential, and next year will be an even better year.”
