Mount Union journalism students pictured in front of Founders Hall at Juniata College. From left to right: Sayde Wise, Giulia Whitesel, Sydnee Harris, Delaney Ronk, and Lily Hicks.
By SYDNEE HARRIS | Journalism Student, Mount Union Area Senior High School
Mount Union, Pa. — Mount Union journalism students were able to gain first-hand experience by attending a writing class at Juniata College. Students participated in multiple learning opportunities, including an informational session with Dr. Hannah Bellwoar followed by attending her class focused on narrative journalism. The students attended the workshop as part of the journalism course taught by Ms. Susan Dimoff.
To prepare for the class, students began the day with a private session led by Dr. Bellwoar. They learned about narrative journalism, how it differs from other forms of journalism, and the techniques commonly used in the style. In the week leading up to the visit, they also reviewed reading material provided by Dr. Bellwoar.
During the class, Mount Union journalists were paired with students from Juniata College to conduct interviews with one another. Students practiced interviewing techniques in hopes of learning about their interview partner. After a five-minute interview, each student constructed a profile of their partner based on the information gathered. Delaney Ronk, a Mount Union journalist, commented, “I learned how to make interviews conversational, the importance of body language, tone, and open-ended questions, and how the use of setting should be incorporated.”
This valuable experience that Dr. Bellwoar provided was mutually beneficial to both groups of students. When asked how her class viewed the visit, Dr. Bellwoar commented, “My students really appreciated the opportunity, and they were glad to meet you all.” She emphasized her gratitude for the enthusiasm Mount Union students brought to her class. Building on this positive interaction, Dr. Bellwoar explained how the collaboration came together.
When Dr. Bellwoar was approached by Ms. Dimoff about collaborating with Mount Union journalists, she immediately had an idea in mind. She explained that although she has taught journalism before, she felt that her Creative Nonfiction curriculum could be extremely applicable and helpful for high school students. She said interviews were the first activity that came to mind because “you all would be able to experience narrative journalism, as well as my students. Time was also in my favor based on what we were working on at that point in the semester.” Dr. Bellwoar said she believed the interviews went very well and that she “was really pleased with the opportunity to know different folks that aren’t in the class.” She also appreciated that Mount Union students were able to meet with her before class and discuss the readings she provided the week prior.
For the Mount Union students, the visit was just as meaningful. They gained a variety of insights, from creative nonfiction writing techniques to experiencing the atmosphere of a college classroom. When Mount Union senior Giulia Whitesel was asked about her favorite moment from the trip, she said she enjoyed being able to sit in on a college class and get a feel for what to expect before heading off to college next year. Whitesel said, “It was very beneficial as I am someone who plans to go to college, so being able to experience first-hand what my future will look like is a good first step of preparation.”
As Whitesel explained, the trip was especially helpful in preparing students for the next step in their education. Mount Union senior Delaney Ronk was also asked about the college atmosphere and whether it matched her expectations. She replied, “It was truly an eye-opening experience.” Ronk noted that the classroom environment was much more laid back than she expected. For example, Dr. Bellwoar preferred to be called by her first name, Hannah. The class size was relatively small and overall, the environment felt very interpersonal. In addition to gaining a better understanding of college life, Ronk also learned useful techniques for future articles. She stated, “I realized how important it is to really listen during an interview. The way someone talks, pauses, or reacts can tell you just as much as the actual words they say.”
As students learned about narrative journalism, they were also becoming more at ease in the college environment. For many high school students, heading into a college classroom alongside college students can be intimidating. When Mount Union students learned from Dr. Bellwoar that they would be conducting interviews with her class, they were nervous to say the least. When Mount Union senior Lily Hicks was asked about her experience, she said, “At first, I was nervous, but after realizing the laid-back atmosphere of Dr. Bellwoar’s classroom, I felt a lot more comfortable about opening up during my interview.”
Overall, the Mount Union journalism class is incredibly grateful for the chance to learn from Dr. Bellwoar and her students. The visit to Juniata College not only strengthened students’ writing and interviewing skills, but also gave them a meaningful look into the world of college-level journalism. It is an experience they will carry with them as they continue growing as writers.
This article was published as part of Ms. Dimoff’s Journalism class at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
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