The relationship between censorship and publication outlets has always been a slippery slope, and for some high school publications, this line is even harder to navigate. For The Huron Emery, though, the Huron administrative team’s dedication to continuing to support all academic endeavors, including the newsroom, has created a uniquely special relationship.
“It’s a building block for getting our students to engage in journalistic pursuits after school,” Huron sophomore and junior principal Claire Federhofer said. “For me, having a student press is about creating this community of young, curious people who are excited to learn about the world.”
Federhofer’s beliefs in student press come not just from her recent years as one of Huron’s class principals, but also previous teaching experiences. She started working as an English teacher for a diverse set of classes ranging from creative writing to DP Language and Literature to journalism. Federhofer’s experience with the world of writing and publication is anything but small.
“Journalism helps to create spaces for young people to talk about topics that they see as important that they are not necessarily given a voice to discuss in all spaces and places,” Federhofer said. “It teaches them such great research skills and such great interpersonal skills.”
Student journalism for Federhofer, though, benefits beyond just the reporters but also the community being reported too.
Serving as the main publication for the Huron high school population in Ann Arbor, The Huron Emery’s role isn’t just another story or issue. Helping the community for years now, the publication has become a center of celebration for the diversity of Huron that isn’t just important, but necessary according to Federhofer.
“The diversity that exists within our Huron community is something that provides a unique voice,” Federhoder said. “And it isn’t necessarily just representing one specific population, but many populations.”
As the relationship between the two continues to change with new contexts, there is a core belief from the administrative side on the role of executive roles in the student press.
“We never want to mandate what we can and cannot speak about, but we do want to be in the know,” Federhofer said. “We do want to be aware of the impact that our writing is going to have once we put it out there.”
With no prior review, the Huron Emery continues to stand as a space for student voices to be heard through the publication lens. This is not to say, though, that administration has no involvement in the newsroom.
“I think it’s important to have a role as an administrator to because you’re aware of all the different stakeholders,” Federhofer said. “You’re aware of how all the pieces fit together. You’re aware of how to support those students in sharing their message in productive, collaborative, creative and amazing ways.”
Publications, newspapers and yearbooks all firstly serve as a recourse for the community, and for Federhofer, this belief is not forgotten in her own role in the Huron community.
“I spend time in the hallways and I greet students,” Federhofer said. “If I read an article and I think it’s great, I will comment on it. That’s how we should be establishing and building relationships with all our students, including those who write for the Emery, because it’s an important voice for our community.”
