An all-day student journalism workshop on Oct. 10 brought together Kathy Kiely, the Missouri School of Journalism chair in free press studies, photojournalism graduate student Kate Cassady, and The Gasconade County Republican’s staff to work with members of the high school media and broadcast groups. Students spent their morning learning about free press and news gathering, followed by an afternoon of photojournalism.

“In a world where everyone is a publisher, everyone should learn to be a reporter,” Kiely said.

As the OHS Dutch Mill began its second year in print, student journalists discussed a wishlist of topics they wanted to learn more about. The collaboration between the school district and the local newspaper resulted in a combined effort to reach out to contacts at the Reynolds Journalism Institute, facilitating an on-site workshop.

Kiely, a renowned speaker and expert in her field, shared with the class why it’s important to write articles that provide their constituents with the information they need to know and the rules by which they hold themselves accountable. Before putting ink to paper, a writer must establish their ethical foundation, to which she shared the Journalist’s Creed, written in the early 1900s by the Missouri School of Journalism founder Walter Williams.

“I believe that the public journal is a public trust,” Kiely read Williams’ words. “What does that mean? Our first loyalty is to the people who look at our pictures, read stories, listen to our broadcasts and trust what we are saying.”

Her advice was to stick to the facts.

“Don’t just tell your audience what they want to hear,” Kiely emphasized.

The second tidbit was knowing when not to write something.

“You wouldn’t write what you wouldn’t say,” Kiely said, adding, “Don’t blame what you wrote on orders. Individual responsibility can not be escaped by following instructions.”

The ethics of reporting isn’t always easy. While many high school student journalists are focused on articles about what is happening within the walls of their educational facilities, Kiely asked students to be situationally aware when creating and reading content.

“Don’t bend under the pressure of the masses,” she began. “We don’t get into this business to be popular. Seek the truth and report it. Don’t just report it, investigate it.”

By encouraging students to investigate information that doesn’t sound right, Kiely offered that it minimizes harm.

“Even if someone is a nice person, if they do harm, we write the story,” she said.

However, someone could commit a crime that only affects them. In that instance, who does it hurt to report the incident? Is it a necessary report?

“Minimize harm, act independently, be accountable and transparent, and verify information before releasing it,” Kiely said. “If someone is giving a scoop, ask why. How does it benefit or affect them? When interviewing a private citizen, explain what being published means. Private citizens have a bigger right to privacy than public figures.”

To broadcast students, Kiely offered that music can set a mood. Playing the Darth Vader theme song when a politician enters the room is a form of framing the story that sets the mood.

One of her parting pieces of advice is to know how to identify and be a professional reporter. The real truth comes out when mistakes are made.

“What makes a pro?” She asked. “Mistakes happen. How do I know a source is reliable? We make corrections. To error is human. To correct is professional. If you make a mistake, go to the person or organization, apologize, admit the wrong, run the correction. Don’t be afraid of admitting you made a mistake. That’s not the real question. The question is what you do when it happens.”

Kiely also presented on “The Art of the Interview,” a slide show giving student reporters advice on how to conduct a productive interview.

“It’s not about you,” she said. “Silence is golden and so we should listen. Don’t be afraid of pausing and letting your source fill the silence. Don’t be afraid to ask ‘just one more thing.’ Ask one question at a time, and practice the concept of ‘show, don’t tell.’”

After lunch, Cassady, a senior photojournalism student, brought out media kits that the Missouri School of Journalism allowed students to use for the day. Kits included cameras, microphones, and recorders. A quick tutorial on how to use and adjust camera settings started the session, as well as a presentation on taking pictures to tell stories.

Cassady, a Missouri photojournalism student, showed students examples of her work prepared for her high-school aged brother. Lighting techniques, balancing and framing were all topics of the presentation, which was followed by a building tour to give students the opportunity to test their skills.

A visit to the newly renovated big gym, the Friday afternoon Dutchgirls softball game at OHS Field and Rick Hardy’s career technology education (CTE) screen printing class rounded out the middle of the afternoon.

Hardy’s CTE class was approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2024, and assists 30 students with being college and career ready.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Staci Johnson said Hardy’s class began as a CTE pilot program.

“We applied for and received a fifty-fifty Limited Access Grant for $295,317 that paid for minor remodeling and provided some funds toward a salary for Mr. Hardy,” Johnson said.

Student journalists walked the room, taking pictures of the process to create shirts for the district’s various clubs and organizations, including The Dutch Mill staff shirts.

“The problem with ordering product online,” Hardy began as he picked up a box and unfolded a Dutch Mill staff shirt, “is that the color is hard to tell.”

He held a red number in one hand and a shirt in the other.

“This was supposed to be orange,” Hardy said. “We reordered orange numbers. When we get those in, the shirts will be done.”

Back in the classroom, students returned cameras and camera cards were plugged into Kiely’s computer to view images as a class.

Dave Marner, The Republican’s editor, Kiely and Cassady took turns sharing how students could improve images through a critique of their images..

The class intends to use their newfound knowledge during Spirit Week Oct. 12-17, as Dutchmen football homecoming is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. on Friday on Dutchmen Field against Sullivan.