Student journalists from The Dutch Mill recently visited Owensville Elementary students to help guide the school's new newspaper staff at the OES Press. The staff consists of the best writers from fourth and fifth grades. The visit allowed high school journalists to share advice, ideas, and encouragement with younger students who are just beginning to learn about journalism.
During the visit, The Dutch Mill students compared the elementary students’ stories, helped write new headlines, and practiced interview skills with them. The high school journalists gave feedback and suggestions to help improve the articles while showing the younger group how reporters gather and organize information.
Loretta Hawkins explained that the younger students sometimes struggled with listening, but she still found the experience fun. Arianna Baguio added that it was challenging because the elementary students had not yet fully understood the work.
Despite the challenges, there were positive surprises. Baguio said she was impressed by how interested the elementary students were in everything related to journalism. Hawkins also noted that working with younger students made her realize they were more challenging than she originally thought, but the experience was still valuable.
Overall, the visit was a learning experience for both groups. Helping the OES Press staff also gave the Dutch Mill students a chance to reflect on their own skills. Hawkins said the experience showed her that writing can always improve, especially when others help each other and provide feedback.
