Ezene Wonkwah describes lost journalism program and skills gained through YJC

Thank you.

Good afternoon.

My name is Ezene Wonkwah and I'm a current 11th grade student at Medgar Evers College Preparatory School.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak here.

I have decided to be here on a school day to emphasize the importance of incorporating and expanding journalism programs in more schools.

I currently attend a school that doesn't have an active journalism program.

We did have a newspaper and journalism club at a point, which died off over time.

Through my experience with journalism in YJC as a student leader, I can confidently say that the lack of journalism opportunities puts us at a disadvantage.

Journalism, which started off as a slight interest for me, has become something that has helped me further develop many important skills such as effective communication and understanding of different perspectives.

It's also really important towards critical thinking and writing skills, which are crucial for students.

The exposure to multiple perspectives and knowing what's going on around them.

The reason I have been able to further develop these skills with journalism is because I've sought it outside of my school.

Meanwhile, I recognize that not every student has the same access to those experiences.

Oftentimes when I bring up journalism, I am met with it being viewed as a niche interest and some simply not having enough exposure to know what it has to offer.

Creating journalism as a core

part of students' educational experience as possible through Portrait of a Graduate.

Through journalism, students can learn more and display the civic and critical thinking skills learned over the year, making it a perfect fit.