The Bulldog Times application for the upcoming school year is open, and if you are on the fence about enrolling in Journalism, I’m here to tell you why it is the best program to pursue as you embark on your high school journey. Hopefully, by the end of this five-step guide to Journalism, you will be running to your counselor’s office, requesting to be switch into this class!
—
1. Learn the skills necessary for high school and your future
When I initially joined the Bulldog Times, I couldn’t conduct an interview without feeling nervous, and my writing skills were far from perfect. Now, as a senior with four years of experience under my belt, I am confident in public speaking, interviewing, researching, communicating, and writing. From day one, the staff learns to adapt to situations and find solutions to problems that anyone in the workforce would face today. Our community is collaborative and engaging, providing opportunities for students to work with their peers to write articles, work on projects, and widen the span of their abilities in a team setting. Reaching out to a larger scale of the student body and being able to articulate the voice of the Bulldogs is not something that you can take lightly. In journalism, you will gain a new sense of respect, responsibility, and confidence as you exit the doors at the end of the year.
2. Creatively express yourself and others through 5+ categories
The Bulldog Times operates numerous categories, including News, Features, Sports, Opinion, Open Canvas, Multimedia, and Social Media, allowing our students to limitlessly express their creative ambitions through a variety of media. Here is a rundown of each category:
- News: Report on the latest high school and community news, informing our student body of recent events, including performances, competitions, rallies, and fundraisers.
- Features: Highlight student achievements, pop culture, and Bulldogs of Ayala, and teachers through narrative writing, using storytelling and human context to create an emotional connection between the subject and the reader.
- Sports: Report on Ayala’s sports team, keeping our campus up to date on the latest matches, and spotlighting student-athletes and coaches. Write about the latest professional and college sports news, forming predictions and analyzing games for readers.
- Opinion: Defend your stance on a topic of choice, ranging from your favorite snack to political matters, and persuade the reader that your perspective is valid by using personal anecdotes, research, and student insight.
- Open Canvas: Create, advertise, and judge seasonal writing and art competitions.
- Multimedia: Work on podcasts, photo essays, video series, or comic strips to showcase your creative talents.
- Social Media: Manage and post on the Bulldog Times’s TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
3. Make a real difference on campus
Working with the Bulldog Times allows you to showcase both the successes and failures that the Ayala campus deals with daily to create a more proactive student body. Joining the program is one of the best ways to reach out to administrators and faculty on campus in order to promote a more positive school environment that meets the wants and needs of students today. You can work on personality profiles, highlighting the resilience and accomplishments of different students, faculty members, and teachers across campus, report on pressing matters to expand awareness of campus issues, and interview peers to get the inside scoop on the latest news.
4. Journalism is anything but boring
Aren’t you tired of sitting in class listening to your teacher drone on about notes? Journalism is the perfect class that breaks up your day with just the right amount of fun and purpose. Even if you aren’t completely sold on the whole writing spiel, there is still an opportunity for you to grow in the program. Interested in podcasts, social media, website design, or photography? We are always searching for students who want to take on a bigger role in these fields, as you will have the opportunity to learn more about these skills while simultaneously growing your writing portfolio. At the end of every month, the staff has a potluck to celebrate the completion of a cycle, which is an opportunity for the class to reset before carrying out the rest of their tasks for the semester.
5. Journalism looks good on your college resume
Don’t lie to yourself. Everyone is looking for the perfect edge to add to their college resume that will make them stand out from the rest of the very competitive pool of students at their dream school. Becoming a staff member is one of the best and easiest ways to achieve this. Admission officers appreciate students who can articulate their ideas effectively, while also engaging with members of their community to share relevant student news. If you decide to continue to work within the journalism class, taking on an editor position is another great form of leadership that holds more significance than just a basic president role for a random club on campus. Taking the first step to elevate your education is something every college will love!
—
Journalism is exactly what you are missing if you are interested in learning more about the student body and want to expand your writing skills. Make a difference and let your voice be heard! Apply now with this form!
