Written by Bethany Day
After 29 years, we had finally got our newspaper back. In October of 2022, Emily Kangal had a brilliant idea. The idea; get our newspaper back. When Emily had the idea, she thought of the troubles that the newspaper would have. However, she did not let the negative things come to her, she instead saw the positive side of things. She saw the endless possibilities of having a newspaper, something that the students and teachers here at Wallenpaupack Area High School can enjoy. However, the PAUPACK PRESS had a lot of roadblocks. Emily went through endless meetings, trying to get the paper approved. She worked and met with lots of news writers and reporters, trying to get answers and how to write a proper story to keep an audience entertained. Emily, with the help of the people around her, such as Mr. Doty and Mrs. Mitschele, were finally able to form a properly running newspaper. Emily then formed a team. A team that was full of teenagers who had big dreams to write. Those students, Mr. Doty’s and Mrs. Mitschele Journalism class.
The students dedicated their time going to school events so they could write the best story, a story that made you feel like you are in the game or event. These students all wanted to be part of something and be remembered, and they were. The students- Autumn Belluardo, Any’ah Caljean, Oscar DeLosSantos-Medina, Jewel Dickerman, Julianna Healey, Emily Kangal, Hunter Kenthack, Charlotte Kogan, Loralie Love, Camron Ortiz, Micheal Paltzer, Avery Scartelli, Micheal Seaman, Lily Struble, Ryan Tattersall, Francesca Toppi, Jaslene Toro, Deanna Weiss, and Joseph Yeo. These are the students that would spend hours trying to make the best story for its viewers. These students put in so much time to give us what we have today, PAUPACK PRESS.
I interviewed five of these students, two freshman and three seniors, on how they thought about the newspaper. They had given me the best response I could ever ask for. The first freshman was Any’ah Caljean, I had asked her how she felt about the newspaper. “I really like it. I like to write; I think it’s great for me.” I had also asked Jewel Dickerman, another freshman who joined the PAUPACK PRESS. “I think it’s a great thing to learn in high school because its really helps you get better at writing.” She told me happily.
We had three seniors on our team, Oscar DeLosSantos-Medina, Emily Kangal, and Frankie Toppi. They had joined the newspaper, and they write incredible stories. I interviewed all three of them, and they told me what they thought of journalism and the newspaper. “It’s great.” Oscar DeLosSantos told me. “I think for the first year it’s a great start.” I then asked Francesca Toppi, who gave me a very interesting answer. “Personally, I’m not interested in journalism as an aspect of my future, but the class is beneficial. Since a lot of classes, especially in collage, and later in life require good reading and writing skills and this class is something that can help with providing those skills.” I asked her about how she thought of our newspaper, to which she responded with, “I think it’s a great way to reach students from every different group and all different grades.” I finally talked to the mastermind of it all, Emily Kangal. “I love journalism. I think it’s very important, especially in our age of technology. The spread of information is vital to people staying informed and problems being solved. I plan to keep pursuing a career in journalism in my adulthood. I love our newspaper! I’m so happy that it happened the way it did. After talking to everyone in both classes and taking it from an outsider’s perspective on how they viewed the newspaper, I think it’s spectacular, and it exceeded my expectations. I really hope that it continues to be as amazing once I leave.”
The newspaper would love to thank everyone who has read and supports our newspaper! The amount of love that the newspaper received is unbelievable! So, as we end with our final article, I would want to thank everyone who has helped get us where we are today. I would also like to thank Mr. Doty and Mrs. Mitschele for helping the students out and teaching us how to write a proper story. Our final thanks are to Emily Kangal, the one who started the whole grand dream.
GOODBYE PAUPACK PRESS! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
FAREWELL- BETHANY DAY AND EMILY KANGAL
Brilliant work everyone! Congratulations on a great year; we look forward to seeing more of Paupack Press in the future. Best wishes to our graduating Seniors!
Dr. LaCoe