Members of Ms. Susan Dimoff’s journalism class accept a check from Mount Union Schools Education Foundation Vice President Chris Heaster to help purchase photography equipment for the journalism program. Pictured from left to right: Giulia Whitesel, Lily Hicks, Sydnee Harris, Chris Heaster, Lilly Bookheimer, Sayde Wise, and Delaney Ronk.
By LILLIAN BOOKHEIMER | Journalism Student, Mount Union Area Senior High School
Mount Union, Pa. — The Mount Union Area High School journalism program recently received an equipment grant through the Mount Union Schools Education Foundation. The grant will help the journalism program purchase a digital camera and accessories for next school year so students can strengthen their photography and journalism skills while covering school news and community events.
The MUSEF grant program is designed to support projects and programs that enhance student learning or provide opportunities beyond what the district budget can fund. Grants may support classroom resources, technology, STEM initiatives, tutoring programs, field trips, extracurricular activities, and other educational opportunities.
“The foundation will endeavor to provide funds to the district and district projects that are not able to be added to the district budget,” MUSEF Secretary Ashlee Varner stated. “We really want to help create opportunities for students and teachers that might not otherwise be possible.” She explained that the foundation hopes to continue growing community involvement and supporting programs throughout the district in the future.
MUSEF Vice President Chris Heaster added, “Our goal is to support programs and opportunities that positively impact students and help enrich their educational experience.” He continued, “We are excited to help support a program like journalism that has already made such a positive impact during its first year.”
When Susan Dimoff, MUAHS journalism teacher, heard about the grant opportunity, she decided to apply in hopes of improving the resources available to students. “I applied for the grant because I felt the journalism class could really benefit from having access to a quality camera. Right now, students rely on cell phones to take photos for their articles. Since photography is a big part of journalism, I wanted students to have the opportunity to learn those skills in a more authentic way,” Ms. Dimoff stated.
The grant money will be used to purchase a digital camera along with accessories such as a memory card and carrying case. Students will use the equipment to take photos for articles, cover school events, and create content for the journalism website.
“The camera will improve the overall quality of student work and help students better capture school events and important moments,” Ms. Dimoff explained. “I think it will give students the opportunity to explore the visual side of journalism more seriously.”
The journalism program has continued to grow throughout its first year, with students becoming more involved in covering school and community events while developing connections within the community through interviews and feature stories. Students’ work has been published in The Valley Log, on the journalism website, and on the MUASD Facebook page. The class also collaborated with the Mount Union Community Library to create the Article of the Month program, where the library assists with selecting a monthly winner. Prizes for the program were sponsored by Mount Union McDonald’s, Mount Union Sheetz, and Downtown Joe Coffee.
“We have accomplished a lot during the first year of the program, and I’m really proud of what the students have done so far,” Ms. Dimoff said. “I’m excited to continue building on the program’s success next year and continue creating new opportunities for students.”
Current journalism student Delaney Ronk reflected positively on her experience in the class this year. She stated, “I have really enjoyed reaching out and getting to know more about members of the community. It has also been a great opportunity to highlight all of the positive things happening at Mount Union Area School District. The class has helped me grow not only as a writer, but also as a person.”
Sayde Wise, another member of the journalism class, offered advice to future students interested in joining the program. “Go out of your comfort zone and write about things that you’re passionate about,” she said. “Give 100% in every interview and article that you do.”
With the support of the grant and growing student interest, the journalism program hopes to continue building on its success next year.
This article was published as part of Ms. Dimoff’s Journalism class at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
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