21^st Century Journalism, a class available for everyone at this school, offers students an opportunity to learn skills that are necessary for free and balanced journalism.

According to instructor Bill Gasper, the 21^st Century Journalism class covers a variety of subject matters, including the first amendment, newspaper operation, newswriting, and legal issues dealing with what a person can or can’t print.

Due to his passion for journalism, Gasper enjoys teaching the class.

“Since one of my primary passions is journalism, I enjoy teaching students about the importance of journalism and the first amendment in a free society,” Gasper said. “I have a passion and I want students to understand how important journalism is in a free society. I think it’s important to teach them journalism in a way that is free and truly balanced.”

Overall, sophomore Faith Ewert enjoyed the class.

“It was interesting and it really helped me learn how to write better,” Ewert said.

Ewert also liked Gasper.

“I really liked Mr. Gasper and how he made the class a little more fun,” Ewert said.

However, there were other students who didn’t enjoy the class.

“I didn’t like how he taught the class and I didn’t like the homework,” freshman Alexa Moreno said.

Enrollment has decreased in the past few years. The class is now only offered for one semester.

Although Moreno didn’t enjoy it, both Ewert and Moreno said students who like newspaper and need help with writing should take the class.

18kweisenborn@usd489.com