FHSTheFlash The Flash Volume 46, Issue 3 January 2006 | Page 3

Opinion January 2006 The Fraser Flash Visit The Flash online at: www.myhighschooljournalsim.org/ mi/fraser/fhs Editors-in-Chief Alleysha Tucker Kristen Schatow Advisory Editor Nicki Hinchman Assistant Editor Amanda Dupure Photo Editor Kyle Snarski Exchange Editor Petia Kapintcheva Web Editor Andrew Kauffman Web Master Aaron Hamel Flash Reporters Ashley Bletch Paul Digiovanni Robert Druzynski Aaron Hamel Arthur McCall John Milby Jerica Pitts Sarah Zalewski Adviser James Flanagan About Us The purpose of the Flash is to inform and entertain our audience, which includes the entire community, on subjects that may affect our readers. We also aim to be an open forum for the audience to be heard and make comments and observations. It is our intent that we provide this information in a clear, meaningful, and journalistic way. The Flash is a member of the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA). Editorial Policy The editorial board is the decisionmaking group for the newspaper staff. It includes the editor-in-chief, assistant editors, and all other writers, web editors, and photographers. The board is in charge of making the decisions on what will go into the newspaper. If a controversial issue arises, it is the common assumption that th ere will be nothing published in the newspaper that is libelous, obscene, copyrighted, disrupting, or advocating illegal activities. Contact Us At the Flash, we encourage letters to the editor so that our readers can cooperate with us to make a better newspaper. Any signed letter of which is not libelous, obscene, or regarding defamation or incitement may be accepted to be published. Letters are subject to edit for grammar and content if necessary. Please keep letters 250 words or less. Letters can also be submitted in the box outside of the journalism room or in the main office, as well as via email to [email protected] Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: Letter to the Editor , The Flash 34270 Garfield Fraser, MI 48026 By Nicki Hinchman ‘06 Editor-in-Chief By Robb Druzynski ‘06 Flash Staff Reporter 3 I can keep a good reputation? I shouldn’t. The fact of the matter is, I can say many, many things in this little space I’m given each issue. I can choose to sugarcoat a hot topic and stay on everyone’s good side, or I could even avoid controversy altogether and keep my feelings to myself. But that isn’t me, and that isn’t what I’ve been taught to do. There is a large difference between an educated argument and an unintelligent article, and I haven’t been guilty of the latter in the past. Many people seem to miss this when they read what I have to say; the harsh details seem to overrun the actual meaning of an article that one may not agree with. This is not my fault, seeing that I am just trying to say what’s on my mind and share my opinions with whomever wants to listen. At the end of it all, I’m never going to stop doing what I enjoy doing the most. I can only tell everyone to read it, accept it, and watch how you interpret it; I do this because I love to write and express myself, not because I want and seek controversy. All my life I’ve been told Since 1959, The Fraser Flash has been written, designed, and published by FHS students. Every year a new Editor- by others to speak my mind; in-Chief takes hold of the reigns in hopes to direct the paper saying what I’m thinking is down the right path to become more successful than the pre- the best form of self-expresvious year. Let me tell you from first hand experience, it’s sion. As a student I’m always taught what a powernot a simple task. The position of Editor-in-Chief is one that entails the at- ful idea freedom of speech is. tributes of a perfectionist. I’ve learned that a combination The problem, however, of diligence, patience, and a sense of humor are necessities seems to arise when I actuin order to survive the grueling process of creating a high ally do open my ideas up to school newspaper. The constant flow of questions, rough the world. Is there a double drafts, layout designs, and deadlines seem endless. But let’s standard here that we try to face it; there would be no use for an Editor-in-Chief with- cover up? Yes, there is, and out a staff of reporters and a little bit of controversy thrown everything’s fine in the world of a reader until someinto the mix. Depending on the current content in the upcoming issue, thing they disagree with The Flash takes one month (give or take a few weeks) to comes along. This will only be the third publish and distribute. As a reader of The Flash, you are only exposed to the finished product. Also as a reader, you article I’ve written for any are the first to point out silly grammatical errors, pick apart journalistic newspaper, and the content, and stir-up controversy. But is anyone really I’ve already thought about giving it a rest due to the listening? After almost four years of being a staff member, I have flack I’ve received. Why learned to take criticism with an open mind. But believe it should I be criticized for or not, the hardest part of releasing a newspaper is receiving speaking my mind? It no feedback at all. After spending weeks researching, inter- sounds like a simple question viewing, and drafting an article to reach near-perfection, your where the answer would be heart slowly begins to harden each time your hard work is “you shouldn’t,” but it sadly over looked. Remember, this is your school newspaper so happens. I can understand please do not hesitate to pick up a pen and write a letter to individuals having a different point of view as I do, but the Editor to express how you feel. As my role of Editor-in-Chief is wrapping up and being there is no reason for me to passed along to my Assistant Editors, I felt it necessary to be condemned for conveying write this editorial. I want it to be known that I do appreci- my thoughts and opinions. ate the hard work exerted by my staff, my adviser, and my- Why should I conform to the self. Writing for The Flash is not just a class that you earn views of the majority just so credit for nor is it just a means of self-gratification to see your name in print. All 15 members of the staff, including Response to the editorial on the FHS teacher myself, are journalists with a specific cause: to provide an contract and perceived conduct of staff open forum for student expression, ultimately providing Having read through the editorial in the last issue of the news and entertainment for the Fraser community. I appreciate those of you who take the time to pick up each issue, Flash written by an FHS student related to their vantage point on the conduct of FHS teachers during the contract negotiavoice your own opinions, and respect our valiant efforts. tions, I would like to take a moment to briefly respond. Whenever a writer tackles a difficult topic, such as this, it is All parents, adult community members, and student in grades 6 and up Are welcome to join us for an informative imperative that both sides of the story be portrayed, especially if their goal is to improve how events happen in the future. Having read through the article several times, I was left with the impression that both sides of the story had not Wednesday, February 15 been told equally. The article seemed to generalize a few 7:00 P.M. scenarios an d left the reader with the impression that the Fraser High School auditorium majority of staff had made certain statements or conducted themselves in a certain way that was detrimental to the stuFind Out: dent body. As the principal of this building and a new memReal facts: ‘05 FHS grad dies this fall from a drug overdose ber of the staff here in Fraser, I am fortunate to have the County & Fraser Statistics on Alcohol/Drug Use Penalties-students in possession & parents who supply opportunity to interact with a large number of students and Parent input-Tell us what you know-suggest how schools can help staff on a daily basis. It is from this perspective that I can state that despite the challenges that we all experienced with Real Solutions: Student & Parent Strategies that Work Paraphernalia to look for starting the school year without a teaching contract in place, Follow-up meetings I regularly witnessed staff members going the “extra mile” for students. The writer also generalized that staff members All Fraser Families were educating students at FHS simply for financial gain – I Need to Be Aware can assure you that that is not the case. Fraser Schools Seeks Parents as Partners I would encourage the student writers of the Flash to continue to tackle the tough topics in our school environment and to do your best to consider each side of the story. Drug Awareness Night - Dr. Richards