With so many ambitious youth voices wanting to be heard, I’m fortunate to partner with the Saanich News to launch a new initiative for youth contributors to write for the newspaper.
The idea came to me during English class at Reynolds Secondary, wanting to write about ‘what was important to me,’ and not really knowing what that was.
My teacher Brad Cunningham and I bounced ideas back and forth and I can remember him saying, “Through writing, we build empathy and understanding.” Then, he sprung the idea on me to write about what’s happening currently in my world, from my perspective.
His suggestions led to contacting the Saanich News, who responded within 30 minutes and shared our vision in creating a space for more youth voices to be recognized.
It’s created a perfect opportunity to expand a student’s writing repertoire in working with a professional newspaper.
Youth contributors can pitch their ideas to the Saanich News to be considered. Contributions will be reviewed by the Saanich News and myself.
Here is an opportunity to read the everyday news through a different lens: a youth’s perspective. This exciting new program invites those aged 12 to 19 who live, attend school or participate in activities in the Saanich area to write about events happening in our community.
A more inclusive perspective is what the Saanich News aims to develop.
My main reason for writing is because I want people my age to know what’s up, have them write, and provide feedback as well. Possibly, this initiative will introduce others to a media platform that they hadn’t given a thought to before.
Saanich News Youth Voice is an outlet for youth to share what they’re up to. There are so many innovative ideas and opportunities that I want to know about and that Saanich readers should know about too. Hopefully, the Saanich News Youth Voice initiative will do just that.
A few weeks ago, I contributed the first piece on the student-led Model UN. I hope you had the chance to read it, as the event itself was excellent.
As part of the Reynolds Flex Program, teachers build a curriculum with their students that supports collaborating with members of the community.
The Saanich News Youth Voice initiative may have started with a Reynolds student, but it’s intended for all keen Saanich youth writers to contribute with the support of the Saanich News team.
I’ve learned that when you write with your own ‘voice,’ it usually flows better and people can relate to it more because it’s more personable. It also helps if you’ve experienced the event that you’re writing about firsthand. What better than to have youth write about their participation within the community, and get more involved too?
If you want to try your hand at being a youth reporter and you’re between the ages 12 and 19, and either live, attend school, or are otherwise engaged in Saanich, email reporter@saanichnews.com for further information about how to get involved with this exciting new project.
Shae-Linn Davies is a Grade 10 student in the Reynolds secondary flex program and Saanich News contributor.