School shuts down student newspaper

EXETER — Exeter High School’s newspaper, the Talon, has stopped the presses.

My high school administration shut down the student newspaper this year and cut the production class from the curriculum. They’re moving to an online-only format that will be produced by an after school club, but this is such a loss for students writing and editing the publication, and for those reading it. Working on the newspaper was definitely the highlight of my time in high school. We had so much fun, so much freedom, and spent so many hours after school in Pagemaker. The production class was the only time in my schedule where learning was truly student-directed. Our advisor let us fail, held us accountable for our mistakes, and stood by us when it mattered most. It was so rewarding to produce a real, physical product, and to see my name in print. I led a staff for the first time. I went to New York City without my parents for the first time. I voiced my opinions publicly for the first time. The Talon even led me, somewhat circuitously, to my work in libraries. Long live The Talon.