The Cougar Chronicle: Newark Memorial High School

original article published May 14, 2024 by the Tri-City Voice

We conclude our series on high school journalism with a look at Newark Memorial High School, where a new generation of students are attempting to resurrect their school newspaper, The Cougar Chronicle. Last published in 2014 under then Journalism Adviser Vivian Young, the program eventually lost funding and faded away.

It is yet another example of how fragile our democracy can be, and how we take for granted a free press which holds our society accountable. How easy it would be for newspapers to simply vanish from the earth?

After meeting with passionate and thoughtful students in high school journalism programs throughout the East Bay, it is clear that the newspaper industry is in good hands. A counter movement to fake news is brewing, fueled by curious young minds eager to seek the truth and tell the stories that impact their communities. Word is spreading…Good journalism matters, now more than ever.

Diego Dueñas wasn’t sure how long it would take, or even how to go about it, but he knew it was something he had to do. His school, Newark Memorial High School, hadn’t seen a student newspaper in over 10 years, and he felt it was time to resurrect the past. Says Dueñas, “Growing up, my eye was always drawn to newspapers – Mexican publications, The Chronicle, The Tribune…”

He checked in with his friends to see if it was something they’d be interested in. Many of them jumped on board, including Brandon Ramos-Bailon. “Updating the student body in an entertaining way – that was very appealing to me, “he says. Hamza Hasan was also interested. “It’s not something I plan to major in, but it seemed like a cool and interesting venture, “ Hasan explains. And as it happens, his dad writes for the SF Chronicle. “Why not do something that he does?”

From the start, it was evident that the school could not afford to create a journalism class, so Dueñas and his core team decided to create a club. They approached their history teacher, Mr. Permaul, to see if he would host them in his classroom. He thought it was a great idea. “As a history teacher, I’m always trying to get my students to pay more attention to the news. Current events, politics – it’s all relevant.”

Dueñas was excited about the idea of creating a printed publication, but soon learned that the cost to publish was too high. So he decided to create a digital version. But they still needed funding in order to afford the software. They reached out to a local eatery, Billy Roy’s Burger Co., who sponsored them at one of their school’s Food Faire events. They made $500, more than enough to afford a license for Adobe InDesign.

Dueñas created a Google Classroom account, a central place online where the team could check in, post assignments, and manage their content. Editor-in-Chief Seby Llaguno smiles as he recalls how he got the job. “I caught a bunch of spelling mistakes on our first run, so Diego thought I’d make a good editor. I’m studying to become a Mechanical Engineer, so I’m very detail-oriented, and I guess that makes me a good editor as well. I enjoy it. It has been a nice outlet for my creativity.”

Writers are assigned stories, but many just write about what they’re interested in. Deadlines are very casual. Student athlete Kelsey Oviatt was recruited to help with girls sports coverage. She plays tennis and softball. “It has definitely been a challenge to write about sports. I’ve interviewed a few of my teammates, but I just haven’t had the time to cover other sports. Even though we don’t have strict deadlines, you still need to get your work done.”

The first edition of the new Cougar Chronicle came out in the Fall of 2023, emailed to students and their families as a newsletter through ParentSquare, a mass notification tool commonly used by school districts. Dueñas and his friends, now seniors, had done it. “It took me 3 years, but we finally did it. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

The club is currently working on their 4th edition, due out on May 17th. Dueñas estimates that they currently have about 15 active members, with another 15 acting as occasional contributors. Many will graduate this year, leaving the club’s future in doubt. Of course, Dueñas and his team are hoping that what they started will continue. “We’re looking for more underclassmen to become involved and are helping to prepare them to take the reigns, “says Ramos-Bailon.

The transitory nature of a high school journalism staff is one of the biggest challenges facing high school advisers. They only have these kids for two or three years before sending them off to college and the workplace. Each group has their own unique qualities and skill sets that each adviser must manage. For many students, it is merely another phase in their adolescence, who then move on to other careers. But for some, it can spark an interest that stays with them their entire lives. 

It seems clear that high school journalism programs teach lessons that help prepare students to become responsible adult citizens. From interviewing techniques and communication skills, to community outreach and request for public records, to an understanding of ethics and reliable sources, all contribute to creating the next generation of critical thinkers.

We look forward to seeing how they change the world.