Southside journalism students to collaborate with The City Wire

Southside High School journalism students will soon post their research and writing as contributors to The City Wire.

Dalton Person, editor of Southside’s Southworld news magazine, Zach Wilson, Southworld assistant editor, and Dylan Beschoner, Southworld  opinion/editorial editor, have agreed to work with the staff of The City Wire.

Susan Colyer, the journalism instructor at Southside, was instrumental in helping arrange the collaboration.

“The opportunity for high school journalists to work for The City Wire not only allows them a new experience, but also provides the community with a fresh perspective,” Colyer said. “The students will elevate their learning levels by engaging them in the community through interviews and fact finding; plus, their writing can be showcased in a new format. This affords them the chance to explore a career in professional journalism.”

Stories the Southside students are considering include:
• School Districts around the state going green
• Youth Actors Guild upcoming Grease performance
• Mayor Youth Arts awards
• A Pro-Con student perspective on current educational legislation

Southside is the second area high school to join The City Wire in the new approach to providing the Fort Smith region with unique and informative business, political and cultural coverage. Six Greenwood High School journalism students, guided by journalism instructor JoLynn Dixon, began working with The City Wire in early March. (Their stories are Spring Break safety, cramped quarters, school “Spirit” and Senioritis.)

“It’s always been our goal with The City Wire to expand the voices that are heard in this great network of regional communities. Inviting area high school students is part of that, and we are grateful to the students, faculty advisors and the school administrators for participating in this connection,” said Tom Kirkham, publisher of TCW Media.