Revival of CHS student paper has me feeling optimistic about future

Last week I was thrilled to come across a Facebook post congratulating the staff of the Paws’ Print, Corbin High School’s student newspaper, on the printing of their first physical issue in many years. I immediately reached out to Niki Junker, who heads up the school’s journalism program, to get more details.

According to Junker, this marks the first time in well over a decade that Corbin has produced an actual, physical newspaper. For years, any sort of student reporting has apparently appeared on the school district’s website, but Junker is proud of the fact that her students have produced a tangible product for their classmates to enjoy.

I am excited about this development as well, as I whole-heartedly agree with Junker that, while we do live in a digital age, nothing can truly take the place of having a physical publication in your hands to enjoy. While pulling up images and information on a digital screen may be quick and convenient, there will always be something special about opening up a paper and seeing photos of the people and places in your local community, and/or the names of friends and family members.

I was equally impressed to find out that the Paws’ Print is being printed in-house, in the high school media center’s fully functional print shop. I had no idea that a print shop existed inside CHS, and that they have the ability to print not only student newspapers, but things like business cards, invitations, banners and signs.

Apparently this has been the case for some time now, but I am only just now learning about what all they can do.

When I asked what I could do to help the Paws’ Print in the future, I was told first and foremost that I could help spread the word about sponsorships, so allow me to do that now…

The CHS student newspaper is being distributed inside the school for free, but it is obviously not free to print. To help cover the cost of paper, ink, printer maintenance, etc., Junker and the journalism program staff are accepting monetary donations from businesses and individuals in our local area. She said that it costs approximately $100 to produce a print run of papers, and anyone willing to help with that will receive recognition in the paper itself. If anyone reading this would be interested in learning more, she said to reach out to her by e-mail at niki.junker@corbin.kyschools.us.

I am looking forward to checking out the next issue of the Paws’ Print, which I am told should be distributed sometime between now and Christmas break. Best of luck moving forward to the student staff members – Brianica Childress, Tori Kate Saunders, Eli Walker, Kadin Messer, Gray Hawkins, Breanna Stewart, Mary Hope Jackson and America Barajas.

I am not sure about the status of any other student newspaper publications in the local area, but if any other schools are producing them I’d love to hear about it. Feel free to contact me any time at tsherman@corbinnewsjournal.com.