News
Traditional News Media on its last life
In recent years, America has experienced a shift in news media. Much of journalism has gone digital and television networks have seen declining ratings. With traditional media outlets taking a back seat for Ameri-cans, some fear that journalism, as we know it, will die out. However, amidst the grim outlook, some voices argue for the renewal and adaptation of the field, emphasizing innovation.
Eric Thomas, former Executive Director of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association (KSPA), is one of those voices. Thomas argues that many times, journalists are not asking the right or engaging questions. He believes that for journalism to survive and thrive, the next generation needs to do things differently.
"Young journalists just need to get out into the world," Thomas said. "Knowing what happened in the past and getting out into the world... those are two big chunks of what every generation of journalists needed to do."
This sentiment highlights the irreplaceable value of the human connection in journalism, something that algorithms or digital tools cannot replicate. Of the 91 students surveyed at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Oct. 7, 45.1 percent and 33 percent use social media apps, Instagram and TikTok respectively, as one of their news sources.
"I see the news or certain events through short-form media content, like TikTok, and YouTube shorts, and then I have to go and find news articles if I want to learn more about it," senior Thomas Kalima-Preciado said.
Many students see social media as a building block that can expose them to new headlines.
"People typically get their sources of news from the internet nowadays, which I feel is better because there's more access to news," senior Trey Lacy said. "But, I also feel like news can be shifted in certain ways and twisted to certain people's viewpoints and beliefs."
Other students seem to agree with Lacy, and gather information from various news sources.
"I like to gather all my news sources," junior Cole Reintjes said. "You get Al Jazeera in Saudi Arabia, and then you could get BBC in UK, and also CNN or other news sites in the US, and just average out the beliefs in all those news sites. Then, you get a pretty probable representation of what's actually going on." With more options for news consumption, Lacy and Reintjes's views on news have become an increasing more common belief among Americans. According to the Pew Research Center in 2024, 34 percent of Americans believe that media is not being transparent enough on their reporting. This could be one of the reasons that traditional journalism forms struggle. There is a need to adapt to new media platforms.
"We're seeing online [news], we're seeing broadcast, podcasts, even social media popping up," said John Celock, award-winning writer, media affairs advisor and author. "The ability to leverage these various platforms, while maintaining journalistic integrity, is crucial for survival in the modern media landscape.”
Celock referenced his home state of New Jersey as one that has progressed in its local journalism.
"We're seeing [these newforms of journalism] in [New Jersey]," Celock said. "We're seeing it in suburban communities. We're seeing it in urban communities. We're seeing it in immigrant communities, but that can be said for a lot of this country."
Backing up Celcok's claims, the Pew Research Center found from 2018 to 2024, 48 percent of Americans preferred news websites or social media to consume local news, which is more than an 11 percent increase from 2018.
In his home state, Celock has worked through foundations to provide different communities with journalism resources.
"One of the things we've been trying to do as a consortium ... is support projects like a high school creating a pod-cast studio, or a rural county wanting to create an online news source because they have no local news-a complete news desert," Celock said.
Exposing more people to journalism impacts the future of the industry and as journalism faces uncertainty, one thing is clear: innovation and originality will be key for the survival. Thomas urges journalists to take risks in their reporting-to ask the tough and unexpected questions that others shy away from.
"If you take more of a risk in the question you're willing to ask, you're likely to get some-thing that sticks in your mind for the rest of the day," Thomas said.
When trying to capture and keep the attention of readers and the audience, this becomes even more important. If journalism continues to go more onto social media and digital forms then, perhaps, the death of journalism is not the end, but the beginning of something new - a more thoughtful, original, and community-focused era.
By embracing innovation, engaging with a more diverse audience, and committing to critical thinking, journalism can not only survive but thrive in the 21st century.
KMC welcomes new clubs - diversity, car and disc golf clubs added
At the beginning of every school year, KMC hosts the activities fair. Each year new clubs are introduced, with this year being no different.
Same of the new clubs this year bring something different to KMC. These clubs include the diversity club, the car club and the disc golf club. All of the clubs look to bring students together. Their goals are to form a community of involvement and inclusion through fun activities.
The diversity club was founded by junior Henry Nguyen. Nguyen started the club "to highlight the positive aspects of different cultures within the institution." This celebrates the many cultures at KMC. The diversity club is "both a Diversity Council and the student council," Nguyen said.
Students can discuss and come together on issues in the school. Nguyen said he hopes the club will grow in popularity in the coming years.
A new club to KMC is the Car Club, founded by sophomore Zack Peek. The club was founded in the 2021-22 school year but has started to see growth this year. "I wanted to have more community," Peek said. "I see some people are just wanting to get more done on their cars." In the club, Peek helps members learn car basics and simple fixes. Peek said he wants members to feel accomplished by learning to solve problems involving their cars.
The new disc golf club has also gained a lot of popularity. Mr. Uy and Mr. Nguyen started the club. The two began playing disc golf as a way to get outside and stay active. They said they hope to share their love for the sport with students through the club.
"I figured we could have something where we can get some kids outside, throwing discs and walking around, just talking about good things and hanging out making new friends," Uy said. The club is an exciting addition for many KMC students.
These clubs all bring some-thing new to KMC. They bring a community and environment to the students and faculty.
Renovation wraps up - KMC concludes spirit and strength campaign
Since 1999, Kapaun Mt. Carmel has been bested by Bishop Carrol in the annual Holy War. However, after 24 years, KMC had another opportunity to end the streak and beat the Eagles on Oct. 6. Leading up to the game, both teams had opposite records. KMC was on a roll winning 4 of its first 5 games. On the other side of the city, Carroll struggled with losses to Northwest, Derby and Junction City; all of which came by a deficit of over 34 points.
“[The Holy War] is a pretty big deal to us, especially being in the situation we’re in. We’ve been so close the past 3 years, and we haven’t been able to feel the true reward,” senior football player Pete Gann said prior to the game.
Suffering these losses built the team’s desire to win. Going into the season, KMC had 20 seniors who were determined to be the class to break the streak.
“The streak ends here,” senior quarterback Dylan Hamilton said.
This energy was carried into the game. KMC elected to receive the ball first, resulting in an early touchdown by senior Trip Wright.
“Scoring that first touchdown, throwing it to Trip Wright, was really awesome and got our blood flowing. It got us all hyped,” Hamilton said.
With the early boost of momentum, KMC came up with a stop on defense and was able to add another touchdown when Hamilton found his way into the endzone. However, Bishop Carroll was not going to let KMC off easy, as they added 14 points of their own to the board. In the final minutes of the first half, KMC was able to get another score on the board making it 21-14 before half.
“I think we put ourselves at ease getting that touchdown right before half,” senior running back Omari Elias said. “[We knew] we had to come out and perform because they were getting the ball at halftime. We reminded ourselves that we still can put up points and that was good for us going into half.”
Coming out of halftime, Bishop Carroll was set to receive. They eventually turned the opening driving into a touchdown on the ground by senior Thomas Gorges. After missing the extra point, this would be the last time the Eagles got on the board.
“Out of the gate, they scored pretty quick. We for sure had to take the lead back,” senior football player Henry Chrisman said, “Diving down the fields, on a longer drive set me up for the long touchdown and everyone's thinking we're still about this.”
With Chrisman’s touchdown, KMC was able to settle into the driver’s seat and leave their foot on the gas. Four touchdowns followed in rapid succession, on the ground. One of which came from Elias.
“[My role was] more of like chipping away slowly at the defense. I'm not so much the big plays and star-studded moments but [I’m] just taking what's there and, eating the clock, setting some things up for other guys,” Elias said.
With the final minutes winding down on the clock, KMC was comfortably in the lead. In victory formation, Hamilton took a knee under center and the clock struck zero.
“You know, it was just a really surreal experience. And then just the quietness in the stadium and then it all seemed like it was loud and quiet at the same time. Then you look around and just have four thousand plus fans cheering for you,” Gann said.
When the knee hit the ground, KMC had broken the 24 year streak Bishop Carroll had had over them. Following the game, KMC aims to continue its successful season and compete for a state championship in the postseason.
“We're all going to be ready [for the postseason] and we're going to be coming in hot. We're going to come out firing and we're going to win,” Hamilton said.