After a five-year hiatus, Mason City High School has an official student newspaper again. The Riverhawk Press, formerly known as the Mohawk Press, is back covering sports, education, arts, and other aspects of student life here at MCHS.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for our students to dive into the world of journalism,” said Stephanie Scholl, who is teaching a new Journalism class at the high school.
Not only is a school newspaper a good opportunity for budding journalists to learn more about a possible career path, but it also helps the student body stay informed on events at the high school. Emily Bruns, former advisor for the Mohawk Press, said “Having a school newspaper allowed people in the district and community to be informed on what was going on at MCHS. Student organizations [and] sports that often get overlooked were noticed more.”
Scholl is eager to reinstate a former school tradition.
“My first news director at KWWL-TV impressed upon me that ‘Everybody has a story.’ And it’s so true. Hopefully, a paper can help students read and learn how every student has a unique story and perspective.”
Scholl is also concerned about students’ access to community-wide journalism.
“North Iowa has lost a lot of our local news reporters. The Globe Gazette has downsized recently and KIMT has moved its headquarters out of town. Let’s face it. We are located in a ‘news desert,’” said Scholl.
She hopes that promoting student journalism will improve interconnectedness at MCHS, enhance access to school news, and allow students an opportunity to write about issues facing young people today.
