Have you ever heard of family members getting school newspapers or have you seen them on TV shows? The high school newspaper is a popular fixture of American culture. 

 

“The newspaper is a greater treasure to the people than uncounted millions of gold,” said Henry Ward Beecher, an influential clergyman of the 19th century. 

 

Many students may not know that Grimsley once had a newspaper called High Life.

It ran in the school from 1920 to 2013 and would include school events, sports, local news stories, stories about athletes, and the issues students cared about. Several editions featured letters to the editor concerning Vietnam War protests, illegal drug use, and even opinions on the student dress code. 

 

A special edition was dedicated to the graduating seniors and included popular features such as the senior class's will. 

 

Ms. Lynn Rozelman, a fixture at Grimsley from 1998 to 2021, taught Yearbook, Newspaper and English. Yet as Grimsley grew, more core classes were needed, and Ms. Rozelman was assigned to teach additional English classes. The elective newspaper class was cut, causing the High LIfe to cease publication in 2013.

 

Ms. Rozelman attempted to bring back the High Life digitally with a creative writing class in 2015, but after that school year the creative writing class was cut as well. 

 

For many years, Grimsley was without a newspaper.  

 

Newspapers serve an essential role in communities, and have done so for hundreds of years. As Thomas Jefferson said, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” 

 

School newspapers serve an important role by providing information about clubs and extracurricular activities, events happening at the school and building community among the students by sharing ideas and personal stories. 

 

After several years without this integral part of Grimsley, a new newspaper, The Whirlie Post, will take up the mantle of the High Life and continue providing the essential services of a school newspaper. Though it is not yet a class, The Post is a club that desires to grow more and more through new members and more influence, to truly embody the spirit and community of Grimsley. 

Participating in a school newspaper provides an outlet for self-expression, and a way to “be a part of history,” said Ms. Rozelman. She remembers “the camaraderie of the students” as one of her favorite parts about teaching the newspaper class. 

 

If you are interested in being a part of building a community at Grimsley High School, contact Ms. Hunt-Ward in room 217, or Mr. Sharpnack in room 200. 

 

Ashley Crowell contributed to this article.