(This text was published on the Wayland Town Crier)

There was no journalism course. There was no technological support. There was no money. There was no precedent. But there was a dream, and the perseverance to make it happen.

When freshman Robin Kim first approached some teachers last year about the possibility of starting a student-run, student-focused Web site at Wayland High School, he had already produced such slick print publications that previous admissions officers at various schools questioned whether he had really produced them on his own. His ideas about a technological revolution were so well thought-out, that despite the fact the High School is woefully under-funded for its technology needs, his English teacher, Janet Karman, and Technology Specialist Mary Barber were willing to hear him out.

In less than a year, the Wayland Student Press Network (WSPN) has grown from just an idea to attaining a spot in the Pacemaker Awards’ Top Ten Finalists for online journalism – the most prestigious student journalism award in the country.

Kim saw a gap in communication at the High School. While the school has a rudimentary Web site that is friendly to teachers and parents, it didn’t address the concerns of, and it didn’t provide a voice for, the students.

He dreamed of a place where students could hear and see what was actually going on in various parts of the school – about the projects students were taking on, the sports, the drama, the music, the academic extracurricular activities – all the elements that make up the Wayland High School community.

He longed for a place where students could voice their concerns about all things great and small, where students could showcase talents, and a place where the Wayland community could tap into the climate of the school.

Using his own resources, including computer hardware, software and video equipment, Kim worked tirelessly, spending most of his waking minutes on the design and marketing strategies. He expresses the challenge of mastering the online world in a short period of time.

“When I first printed out a design prototype for WSPN, I did not know how to make Web sites. I only knew how to design, layout and print. I literally laughed at myself for thinking I could create a dynamic Web site.

“However, I knew that online media would dominate our future, and I was ready to move on. After months of everyday struggle in front of my computer, I reached a point where I could easily create complex Web sites, edit videos and stream them online, and so much more.”

His enthusiasm and determination was infectious, and he soon managed to recruit a core group of students, including Marie Stotz, Peggy Wang and Mike Gentilucci, who had similar visions and were willing to work together to achieve them.

According to Wang, WSPN has the potential to benefit many students at Wayland High School.

“I hope that WSPN will teach students about the responsibilities of journalism and provide the community with quality journalism that portrays the objective truth and prompts people to think and question.”

Stotz explains how multimedia played a big role in her dream for WSPN’s success and why students should consider being part of the online student medium.

“It’s great how we are able to integrate all kinds of videos and photos into WSPN. Average high school students might not want to read articles, but they would be content to watch three-minute videos. We must utilize multimedia to prevent traditional news sources from becoming obsolete. Through WSPN, one can experience the 21st century journalism and get a head start in pursuing a career in the media field.”

Former principal Charlie Ruopp was happy to test the waters, and then-incoming principal Patrick Tutwiler gave an enthusiastic thumbs up. Wayland Student Press Network was up and running.

Within weeks of first publication, WSPN was receiving accolades from numerous outside sources. Mathew Ingram, a technology writer with The Globe and Mail in Toronto, praised the technological advancements of WSPN.

“A small-town high school – Wayland High in Wayland, Massachusetts – (is) doing things with their school newspaper’s Web site that more big-city papers should do, including a smart use of video, blog-style format and great design.”

He further added, “A bunch of 16-year-olds, and they are out-producing many larger newspapers put out by a giant staff. Pretty powerful stuff.”

Paul Conley, who held senior positions at CNN and Bloomberg News, brings up a question to other journalists through his blog.

“Take a look at the future: a news site run by high school kids. Not college kids. Not pros. Take a look and ask yourself honestly, ‘What are these kids doing on this site that I can’t do at my publication?’”

This year, WSPN has taken off. Karman and Barber, as co-advisers, obtained a grant from the Wayland Public Schools Foundation to purchase necessary computers, and video and digital cameras. Students signed on to write articles, opinion pieces, conduct interviews and create videos for the Web site. Many more students have tuned in to view the site and to send in online comments on a wide range of subjects, from praise for student productions to lively debate about the upcoming elections.

Numerous parents and faculty members are also visiting the Web site regularly.
The site has become a centralized location for students and teachers alike to raise and ponder important issues related to school climate, which directly addresses the core values of the school’s mission statement to “create a climate where risk-taking is safeguarded, open expression is encouraged, and free association is protected,” as well as “to advance our students’ growth into principled, informed and capable citizens who will help guide a democracy that follows humanitarian principles in the global forum.”

Students are gaining valuable experience in journalism issues including writing, editing, interviewing, video and podcasting, as well as First Amendment concerns.
Barber feels, “We have been pushed to a new technological level with the creation of WSPN. Robin’s work, and the work of the other editors and contributors to WSPN, is a testament to the old adage, do not accept defeat. There were many steps along the way where this could have failed. It was not an easy process to get this off the ground. They kept pushing and found a way around every roadblock.

“I most enjoy watching how much they improve with each article written, and each interview conducted. Our school community should be very proud to be given this nomination.”

Tutwiler is also impressed with WSPN.

“WSPN is truly an awe-inspiring operation. The significant number of hours dedicated to the Web site design and upkeep, and the informative, well-written stories do not result in a grade or course credit for the students who participate. Further, Janet Karman and Mary Barber have worked tirelessly to support these budding journalists. This is truly a labor of love for everyone involved. The school and the broader community have benefited immensely from their efforts.”

The Pacemaker Award winners will be announced at the Spring National Student Journalism Convention in Anaheim, Calif., in mid-April, where workshops, speakers and field trips will educate and inspire budding journalists. WSPN editors, journalists and advisers are hoping to raise enough money to be able to attend.

Wayland Student Press Network can be accessed through three different Web sites – www.wspnlive.com is the main Web site, which provides news articles, commentaries, podcasts, galleries and more; www.wspn.tv serves as a video database of WSPN; and www.wspnondiet.com is a portal Web site that links all updates from WSPN in a single list and allows students to debate on various issues.