Schneider: 'Hope was a driving force'
in story that 'touched and changed lives'
By Chelsea Schneider
     As I stood staring at the hundreds of shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes and coloring books that we had just delivered to the Domestic Violence Network of Greater Indianapolis, I thought back to where the project began.
     It started with the basics. During a page-planning meeting, several editors of the “Warren Central Owl” decided to do a series of stories on issues facing teens. First in the series would be a feature on domestic abuse victims. We made sure our story was angled correctly, lined up a list of sources, prepared for the interviews, went to the interviews…
     This step is where our series took a turn from the norm.
I had just returned from an interview with Angela Cain, the community affairs director of Channel 13 who had recently spearheaded a domestic abuse campaign Shattering the Silence. Driving home, I couldn't get the stories she had told me out of my mind. I asked myself, "How can I convey the pain of domestic abuse in this article? How can I even find words to describe to my readers these ungrateful acts? How can I utilize this article to make sure that abused children and teens don't turn into abusers themselves?"
     The answer came after a meeting with DVNGI director Tracey Horth-Krueger. While waiting in the meeting room, their receptionist Becky told me about the products drive they had just completed with several area businesses. At first, I thought it would be nice for the “Owl” to collect some hygiene products to give to these victims. However, a simple staff collection evolved into so much more.
     During the month of January, the “Owl” sponsored a Domestic Abuse Remembrance Month in partnership with WCTV, our broadcasting department. We made purple remembrance ribbons, had students sign a petition stating “There is No Excuse for Domestic Abuse” and held a school-wide products drive. After contacting the “Cub Reporter” and “North Star,” the newspaper staffs from Lawrence Central and Lawrence North, they decided to sponsor a products drive similar to ours. They too understood the importance of community service.
     Hope was the driving force. Knowing that our staffs were touching other people’s lives gave me great satisfication. Staff members, editors-in-chief and advisers all worked together for a common goal. We ended up collecting over 2,400 products for victims of domestic abuse. This project exemplifies how high school journalists can change their communities surrounding them. I am a better person and editor-in-chief because of our products drive. It caused me to become aware of the complicated issues members of my community face.
     High school journalists are so much more than information-gathers. They are an integral part of the community they live in. And sources aren't just information-givers. They are people with emotions, problems and concerns. Their stories deserve to be told. We can't merely sit in our staff rooms staring at our computer screens. Writing an article and designing a spread many times is just the beginning of the story.
     Looking back at my high school journalism experience, it wasn't the stories I wrote or the handful of "prestigious" sources I interviewed. I will remember the people I never had the privilege of meeting. I will remember how I touched their lives not only through my articles but also through community service. Most importantly, I will remember the lesson they taught me.