Journalism is being ignored when it is needed most. To have freedom of the press is to have the freedom of information. Now more than ever, the public needs journalism. A new president means new policies and laws and it can be hard to stay informed. It’s a scary thing to not know what is going on in the world, let alone your own country. Protests, riots, wars, injustices and conflicts. These things are always happening. Every day, all the time, around the world. But not everyone knows.
For example, many people are unaware of the many conflicts and wars going on in Africa. According to the Geneva Academy, there are more than 35 ongoing armed conflicts in Africa. There are also many who are or were unaware of the fact that the conflicts between Israel and Palestine began long before Oct. 7, 2023.
One of the main purposes of journalism is to tell the truth and keep people informed. Staying informed is about knowing and understanding both sides of a story. Understanding both sides is extremely important, especially if you decide that you prefer one side because it is important to know what you stand for and what that means to yourself and others. If you don’t know and understand the details of what you are fighting for, how will you be able to properly plan for the outcome.
A good example of this is President Trump’s tariffs. While the purpose of this was to boost the American economy, it ended up raising some prices even more for businesses such as Mattel. According to AP News, “Company executives told analysts on a conference call that China currently accounts for 40% of Mattel’s global production”, and due to the fact that Trump’s imposed 145% tariffs on most of China’s products, Mattel has to raise their sale prices.
Recently however, media outlets have come to realize that because of the great amount of time people spend on social media, it would be easier to share news with the public via social networks. BBC claims that roughly 54% of people get their news from social media platforms. Because of this, more people are becoming informed, however it could potentially mean the end of hand held paper news.
With corruption and the need to consistently fact check our own president, journalism is essential to the people. Journalism allows people to be knowledgeable about the things that affect them, and if people don’t know what is going on, no one can move to make a difference.
If journalism dies now, so will our rights. Stay informed, stay educated, understand both sides, so that we may all make a difference for the better.
The fedora-wearing professor, Joe Dennis works at Piedmont University, a private liberal arts college. Dennis teaches his college students and his own kids journalism.
“I have no senior family members that did journalism. I’m the first one to do it, as far as I know,” said Dennis. “My oldest son did a little bit in high school. He won some awards for it too but he’s more into computer programming. My fourteen-year-old has expressed a lot of interest when I’m just talking about things. He has a weird fascination in it. I’m like oh cool, maybe he’ll take after me.”
He has matching tattoos with his oldest son of the sun and stars from the Philipino flag. It connects the two to their culture along with their father-son bond. Dennis also wrote a blog about his three sons and how he raised them along with some fun moments.
Now Dennis writes editorial pieces based on his students lives.
“The day after the election I had students in my office; I had an openly bisexual student, I had an illegal immigrant, I had a self-identified feminist and I had someone with severe anxiety and an African American student,” Dennis said. “They were all devastated and they were waiting for me. I keep my door unlocked and they were all waiting there. They needed someone to talk to, someone to vent to, someone to know they weren’t alone and that really inspired me.”
Dennis has loved being a teacher to his students. They inspire him to write. He gets to be a safe space for them, which is different from his catholic school. The professor enjoys seeing what his students have learned and how they have grown in their writing skills.
And the fedoras?
“Yeah, I have 6 fedoras that I own,” said Dennis.
Most of them are light because of Georgia’s hot weather.
“I do have a favorite, it’s a black fedora,” Dennis said, “I purchased it at the House of Blues in Chicago. It’s kinda the same fedora supposedly that the Blues Brothers wore in the 1980s movie that I loved. So that’s kinda my special fedora. It’s thicker, it’s wool, so I really only wear it in the winter.”
We can see how education matters to Dennis. He continues to teach and wants more people to be interested in journalism. He cares for humanity and enjoys talking to others and learning their stories.
Joe Dennis doesn’t write as much these days, not because he’s out of words, but because students fill his office daily, needing someone to listen. A journalism professor with a heart for mental health; Joe has become a safe space for students dealing with anxiety, identity struggles and personal crises.
“They needed someone to be there for them,” he says simply. And so he is.
Raised in Georgia and shaped by a childhood in Catholic school, Dennis didn’t get mental health support growing up. During his battle with depression from a young age, he realized the power of being seen and heard. That experience now fuels his work for journalism, from his blogs on student well-being to the space he creates for those who need to talk.
During an interview, Dennis says, “They just needed someone to talk to.. They just needed someone to vent. They needed to know they weren’t alone. That I was there and they needed people to support them, and that really inspired me.”
Before teaching, Dennis lived in Monroe, Georgia, where he covered the heartbreaking story of a judge waiting for a liver transplant. The man died before receiving one, and the experience moved Dennis so deeply that he became a liver donor himself. It was a reminder of how stories and the people behind them can change lives.
Dennis, who proudly embraces his Filipino heritage, has always navigated the world as someone a little different. Growing up in Chicago, he saw firsthand how race shaped communities and opportunities. Those experiences appear in his writing and in how he teaches – with empathy, honesty and lived experience.
His favorite artist is Kesha, having each song for each mood.
“If I’m looking to get pumped up, like if I’m looking to you know, dominate the day, I’d probably listen to Blow,” Dennis said.
He is also very fond the emotional ballad, “Praying,” which speaks to him in different ways – whether it’s about letting go, standing up or forgiving someone who’s hurt you.
He’s known for his love of Kesha songs, his cooking inspired by his mom’s Filipinos recipes, his matching tattoo with his son and, of course, his collection of fedoras. The hat started as a dare from a friend. He kept it on – and made it his thing. Like the hat, Joe Dennis stands out quietly but meaningfully, reminding every student he meets that they matter.
Getting to know an only child is very easy because you are asking them about their most favorite topic ever — themselves! While I could be very detailed and tell you that I’m a Leo, in a STEAM program, Georgia Merit student, or how the time I fell off of my bike and smashed my bacon burger created one of my most cherished friendships ever, I can just give you a little insight.
I am from a city right on the edge of Los Angeles — Inglewood, California. After my parents split, my mom decided to move us across country, which was the end of the world to 7-year-old me. My mom promised me a bike to ease the pain. That same bike is the one to blame for the smashed burger incident, but that gave me a best friend so it wasn’t to bad (minus the huge scar and a missing chunk of my left elbow).
With that same best friend, we both tried out for a volleyball club, and that started one of my favorite hobbies. I’ve been a middle blocker ever since that day and wouldn’t change it. Outside of volleyball you can find me reading outside on a hot day because I love the feeling of sun on my skin, or inside my own world listening to music through my Beats. I’m a huge sports fan, especially football. I absolutely adore Friday night lights, every little thing about it. From the theme-matching outfits, constant screaming for joy, the majestical sounds from the band, to the post-game debriefs at Waffle House with your friends. My mom told me to find a job in doing what I love and what’s more cooler than getting to cover athletes and sports all over the world, which is why I fell in love with sports journalism. I knew I wouldn’t play volleyball in college but I still wanted to stay connected to the athletic lifestyle — or at least get first-hand info about it.
Being on my own does have some draw-backs from time to time but it also leaves me with time to figure out what to say when I’m asked “Who are you?” . The fun part is that being so young, you can never have a finished answer to that question, which means I can do what I do best — always talk about myself!
My name is Sara Anderton. I’m learning American Sign Language along with Hebrew. Once I finish those two languages I hope to learn Ancient Greek, Aramaic, Arabic, Irish Gaelic and if I have time maybe some Hindi or Spanish because my mom was a Spanish teacher. I am the person who will know the most when someone faints or has a seizure; I’m also most likely to faint with my vasovagal syncope. I love learning cultures and religions. I love to learn in general, so I love journalism where I can learn even more. My family is a big advocate for education for all.
Additionally, I’m Jewish-Christian which basically means I believe in Jesus but I keep kosher and celebrate the holidays. Just think I know Lord’s Prayer and Shema. I study Tanakh (Old Testament) and Brit Chadashah (New Testament). Celebrating both religions is just fun for me and gets me connected to my faith. How I practice isn’t for all but it is for me and I’m proud of my faith. I also go to church in my school so that’s fun.
I hope to go into journalism either with a small company or with NPR over the radio. I’ve been writing for my Newspaper “Fuquay Varina’s Roaring Bengal” since freshman year. I’ve written about faith, to infrastucture, to school events. I know a lot about boats, space and planes because of these articles. My most notable works are my JDRF (now Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes) walk article and my four part series on the different religious holidays in spring. I was a part of a workshop called Post 5 where I worked with WRAL, a local news station in North Carolina. I got to see broadcast journalism. I learned a lot from them, especially what I want to do and what I don’t want to do.
I am a writer with a book published on Amazon. I write fantasy war stories, mixing religions (hints: my own faith) and cultural stories where I create a whole new place. I also work on the sci-fi and romance genre which can be difficult. One has many of many ideas but no plot. I’ve made tons of maps out of rice and don’t have enough stories for them. I use what I got from my day for some of my stories especially if someone does something particularly funny.
I love dogs. My yorkie-poodle, Tessa is my little sister. I’m an only child of only children so the dog is worth it. I got her in fourth grade after fostering many other dogs from boxers to terriers. Tessa’s full name is Pequina Tessora Trouble Anderton. Her first name is Spanish for little treasure. Spanish names for dogs are a trend in my family. When I was a baby we had a dog named Quesi (Kacy), short for Hermosita Quesi which means definitely cute. We foster with Second Chances Pet Adoptions. I’ve fundraised for them with my school’s Pet Parade. I wasn’t the first with the idea but I continued it and I hope that another shelter gets money from the parade again.
I am Paul Chandler, a current student, and I am lucky to have two loving parents and an older brother. I have been given a front seat ride to multiple different experiences and cultures. I was born near Baltimore, and I moved down to Oglethorpe when I was two, not having any real memories of my past. We moved into a house in a rural neighborhood, with access to the woods and a river behind our house. I loved when my parents would take me back into the forest on hikes with me and my brother wearing our superhero costumes. I remember when I would get tired, my parents would convince me to keep going by saying that Joker was up ahead the next bend.
I started school at a small montessori school, which I went to until I was in third grade. There I made my best friends which I still am connected with today. I was taught how to garden and have a somewhat free childhood. We stayed in the same class with 1st through 3rd graders for three years, allowing to form deep connection with those kids in our class.
In 3rd grade, I switched schools to Whit Davis, a public elementary on the East Side. At first I somewhat held onto my brother because he had gone to that school the previous year, where he accidently pulled the fire alarm during his tour with the principle. I ended up getting used to the transition, and I met a lot of people with different personalities and stories. I enjoyed it a lot and it got me a good grip on the larger school. That summer in 5th grade I went to a YMCA Christian sleep away camp in Tullulah, where I won Camper of the Year and enjoyed it a lot. I did remember feeling out of place jumping around singing Christian music in a circle, being punished if we weren’t screaming but whatever.
I went to Hilsman for middle school, which is the school everyone went to after graduating Whit Davis. It was way bigger than my last two years of school, because all 4 elementary schools joined as one, so 4 times the people. A few of my old friends from 3rd grade came to this school from the other elementarys that led to that school. I really enjoyed the experience, and I had a lot of fun in classes and making new friends. 6th grade went well. I returned to the same camp in the summer, this time for two weeks. This ended up somehow becoming miles less joyful, and one time we were sleeping in a bungalow type place by a lake, when a neighboring house burned down, giving me severe Bronchiectasis.
In 7th grade, I had an even better semester at school, and made a lot more new friends than the previous year. That November, we moved into my grandpas condo for two months and rented out our house, for 7 months while we went to Switzerland, which was such a special trip that we got to take because my dad had a job opportunity over there for the semester. I was sad to leave, because I was enjoying school so much, but the homesickness wore off after two months of being over there. I went to the public school on the german speaking side of Switzerland. Most people were welcoming and spoke slow German to me allowing me to become semi-fluent after my trip concluded. I was very into basketball then, unlike the majority of the country, who played soccer and tennis. Thanks to the amazing public transportation, I was able to take a free bus to the train station, ride to the closest city, Lucerne, take another bus to the town Kriens, then walk a bit to the basketball gym, where I practiced with kids from around the city. My coach was very nice, and although I couldn’t play in the games, I was able to improve a lot and learn more Swiss casual German. We went to multiple countries using the train system since we didn’t have a car.
We came home late that June since that’s when school ends there. I had a fun summer revisiting friends, and sharing my experiences. Cedar Shoals, the school my mom taught at didn’t hire her back after our trip, so she got a job at my middle school which led into Cedar. I helped my mom move her stuff into the class along with her fish for most of the summer, then started the best school year of my life. My teachers were really nice, and all I had a lot of fun. I tried out for basketball along with 70 other kids, and played really well in tryouts and made the team. Although I was kind of a bench rider throughout the season, practice was super fun and I made friends from 7th grade and strengthened my friendships with the 8th graders. We won the championship that year, and then I tried out for soccer pretty much the next day. I played a decent amount because that was the only pick up game to play in Switzerland, and some of my friends were playing. The team wasn’t as competitive, and I made it. I played CB, which was fun, and I loved the relaxed energy of the team, and even though we barely won, it was even better when we did. The season ended, and I finished out the last 2 months of school, which were really fun, because the real schoolwork ended and we just had fun.
My parents decided it was best for me to go to Athens Academy for high school because they believe the education would be better for my future. I was very sad because it meant leaving all my friends I made throughout the last five years, but I ended up going to the new school anyway. I went to my grandpas house in Maine for the July that summer and spent a lot of time with my moms side of the family, my 3 first cousins and my 50 something second cousins, along with my grandparents.
I started my 9th year at Athens Academy, and I knew one friend from 3rd grade, but it was still akward and hard to make new friends. We were assigned so much more work than I was used to, especially because I never really had homework, and now it was nightly for every class. I finished the year with average grades and a decent education, but I was still sentimental and sad that I left my old life at my old school.
Now it is the summer and I am at this journalism camp writing a biography about my life so far. I feel like I have experienced many shades of life, and I am hopefully ready to finish high school strongly and then have a good future.
Hello! I’m Alli and I’m a major nerd, a title I use with pride. I am 14 and I turn 15 in October. I’m from Macon, Georgia and I attend the Academy of Classical Education. I am attending a camp at the University of Georgia for the first time. I am extremely drawn to a biology career and with the help of this camp I might be able to write an article of my own someday. I dabble in art; my sketchbook is normally filled with drawings of my latest interests (currently stuck on strawberry hats on animals).
My interests influence me widely, and my friends are always there to listen to whatever new thing that’s on my mind. Although I’ve had an insect interest for about three years now, I can’t help but screech when I see a spider. I love watching animated shows such as anything with “Sonic,” “Steven Universe” or “Gravity Falls.” My obsession with plushies is great, and I always need to be restrained by someone or something, such as my chronic debt, from buying a new Sanrio plush. Cute things are all I dream of! I also spend my time studying art and learning new ways to improve my own. My favorite color is pink, but you’ll always catch me wearing dark or earthy colors. I love blending into nature and I feel at home when I go on runs in the woods. I’ll enjoy studying or watching any insects I see on the way, researching each one if I get the chance.
When I meet new people I am typically very awkward and I make horrible jokes, so I apologize in advance. I can talk for hours when I’m truly comfortable with my friends. My friends are some of my favorite people in the world, they inspire many of my actions and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.
I love finding out the uniqueness of everyone. Individuality is a feature I find to be the most important in a person, which is why I dislike many things regarded as ‘trendy.’ In my opinion, weird is a compliment that means you’re not afraid to show your true self. It’s truly special when you can click with someone else, but that shouldn’t take away your special spark. It’s important to never change who you are for anyone. If they don’t like you, someone else always will!
Hello, I’m Saybel Shuster! I am from Macon, Georgia, originally from Vero Beach in Florida then I moved here in 3rd grade. I am one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet when you get to know me! I play tennis and am top doubles and singles, I don’t want to brag. I also do electric guitar. I love to eat! All the time! Like french fries, dumplings, cookies and cream ice creams, you name it, except seafood I don’t like. I love sweets most of all and would choose it over savory and salty foods. I like to pass out candy because I always have some on me, so if you’re ever looking for a sweet treat just ask! Another fun fact is my parents are opening a candy shop in Macon, Georgia called Shuster’s Candy and Creamery, so stop by if you’re visiting downtown! I like to talk a lot so just ask my best friend and the nerdiest but nicest person you’ll ever meet, Alli!
Growing up, me and my family have always traveled every summer to explore different foods and cultures. Just last week we went to The Galapagos Islands and Ecuador which had great food and not so much wifi, which honestly I can’t live without. Last summer we went to the Bahamas, and the summer before that, Italy!
My favorite music artists include Billie Eilish, who doesn’t like her?; Paramore, Cigarettes After Sex, The Weeknd, Adrianne Lenker and Big Thief. My favorite shows are “Insatiable,” “The Simpsons,” “Dexter” and “Love Island”. My favorite movies are “The Princess Swan,” “Straw,” “Despicable me 2” and “13 Going on 30”. I have a pet golden poodle, Sunny, and an older sister, Ella.
I have a huge family with my mom having four sisters, all of their names starting with T, and my father having a sister and two brothers, they all had two kids except two of my aunts. So in total I have 12 cousins. I am Jewish and I had my Bat Mitzvah in October. Since only my dad is Jewish and my mom isn’t, we still celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah! It’s fun celebrating both and I get double the gifts.
As I grew up I think I always knew I wanted to be a journalist, I loved photography and public speaking. My friends call me a very social person. I never knew I could have both in one job until my mom told me about becoming a journalist! Back in 6th and 7th grade I was a junior journalist for 13 WMAZ in Macon. I went to different schools, did Teachers Tops with interviewing the teachers and the students privately, or topics like about our Science and Arts Museum Christmas Tree Exhibit, or the ROTC program in high schools, and those videos were on the news and on their websites.
Yes, that’s me 4 years ago, we look and we don’t judge. I hope you guys think I had a major glow up. 🙂
Leprechaun, Ed Sheeran, Coral, Coco, Cora Bora…I’ve heard it all. But despite my extremely Irish complexion and a name that’s impossible to create nicknames for, I think it’s best you know me as Cora. I am 16 years old and a rising junior at the Durham School of The Arts in Durham, North Carolina. Given the fact that it’s the “School of The Arts” I am required to have two artistic pathways, and the two that I have chosen to follow are journalism and creative writing! Ever since I was a kid I’ve had a great affinity for story telling; whether it be through imaginary play, acting or writing, I found a way to get the many stories swirling in my head out into the world. Now that I’ve matured and I have new methods of story-telling, I no longer find talking to myself as a “sane” outlet and my creativity has become much more technical, though just as strong. I first took interest in journalism the summer before my freshman year, which was heavily inspired by Rory Gilmore and her devoted journalistic spirit throughout the entire Gilmore Girls series. I’m on my schools paper and have recently found that I enjoy writing features on local businesses or pop-cultures role in mental health. I hope to pursue a career in journalism or at least a career that requires me to write. With luck I will be going to UNC Chapel Hill to guide me into that field.
On a more personal note, I have a large variety of hobbies and interests that have rounded me into who I am. From ages 2-12, I did all kinds of dance, but after the pandemic I found that I enjoyed Aerial Silks the most so I have continued with that. I don’t do performances but it is a fun and niche side hobby for my weekday afternoons. I’m super interested in the fashion and streetwear scene therefore I’ve become a chronic thrifter. Of course, a thrift outing isn’t complete without at least two lattes. My coffee addiction has become a trademark characteristic of mine, which is a direct result, yet again, of Gilmore Girls. Gilmore Girls is my favorite series and the witty pop-culture comments and jittery energy of Lorelei and Rory quickly became one of the largest influences in my life. I’ve modeled a lot of my personality after them, along with many other cultural influences like Jeff Buckley, The Dead Poets Society, Lala Land, Juno, Arctic Monkeys and Pinterest, just to name a few. Some of my other smaller interests are sewing, reading, crocheting, photography and collaging.
Durham is a wonderful city to grow up in, especially because I live within walking distance from downtown. I live with both of my parents and have one older brother named Jack, with the most ginger hair you’ve ever seen, and our Pitbull/Rottweiler dog, Pete. I am thankfully surrounded by a lot of good friends that I spend most of my time with. Who else would I go shopping with! My best friend Emerson unfortunately goes to boarding school in Virginia but when she comes home on break it’s like no time has passed. There is so much more I could tell you about myself and all the lovely people who have influenced my life but you’ll just have to talk to me to find that out!
Visiting Emerson in Virginia!
My friend Norah (on the right) and I (on the left) taking pictures while on a hike in Boone!
Rock Star Writers Blog 