The Sopris Stars is back for its second year of youth-led news in the Roaring Fork Valley. I am thrilled to continue this newspaper allowing more youth than ever to have the opportunity to gain hands-on learning experience in journalism. This year we have seen an influx of interns leading to more content than ever! A few bylines return: Aurora Egan, Arthur Cherith and myself, Lou Gall. Along with that, our new interns include, Caden Smith, Aya Robinson, Layla Reiss, Luke Incze, Donovan Gutierrez Gonzalez, Austeja Vaskaite, Kyra Chopra, Yaritza Lopez Perez, Kayla Steele, Arabelle Moffitt, Owen Furderer and Indi Michel. Vivienne Shapiro, one of last year’s Stars, might contribute from afar, and a couple more interns may still join the team.
This year’s array of interns are excited to get to work, from sports reporting to the future of local scholarships; we are committed to share it all. We strive to deliver trustworthy and reliable news every month keeping the kids, tween and teens of the Roaring Fork Valley informed. The Sopris Stars is for everyone; we aim to work with the community. If you have any opinions, events or corrections to share, reach out to us with your ideas at youthnews@soprissun.com
The Sopris Stars are also taking to the air waves, planning a monthly takeover of “Everything Under the Sun,” The Sopris Sun’s weekly radio show on KDNK, from 4 to 4:28pm on the same Thursday that The Stars prints each month. Along with that we are partnering with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program (AZYEP), bringing audio versions of your favorite Sopris Stars stories to your local radio!
In a time of social media many interns describe feeling a need for self expression in a productive way. “The youth, we need to express ourselves, seriously because if we can’t get our opinion out there, who is going to get our opinion out there for us?” said Stars Correspondent Luke Incze, who felt strongly about the prospect of allowing teens a place to publish their work.
The growth of The Stars has allowed so many young adults to find their voice. I myself have grown so much through the continuation of this program. I continue to watch my peers grow alongside it learning to engage an audience and share ideas in a welcoming environment.
As a teen we often find ourselves stuck in a bubble of friends, family or even school work, rarely meeting and connecting to the world around us. However The Sopris Sun fosters this connection. “It has given me a lot more perspective on other people’s beliefs … it has also opened up connections and I made a lot more friends through it [The Stars],” returning Stars Correspondent Aurora Eagan said. Having been with the program for multiple years Aurora shared how much fun she has, watching new interns “find their footing” and using this opportunity to write about her passions, spreading news of live theater, bands or just thoughts on the world.
Every intern was asked to share what they look forward to in the coming year and every intern shared excitement for various passions, some have a desire to cover sports, others want to discuss upcoming scientific studies. Despite the varying interests the office is full of life with students collaborating and laughing at every turn working toward a common goal.
The Sopris Sun is nothing if not welcoming, from your very first day to the very last The Sun feels like a big hug. “I feel very believed in at The Sopris Sun,” third-year Stars Correspondent Arthur Cherith said.
Having a space to belong has been instrumental in my high school experience and I know most of our returning students share the sentiment. Growing up is scary and confusing; having the space to feel heard and seen not only allows for growth but acceptance, helping students to flourish in whatever they choose to pursue after high school. Personally having been with The Sopris Sun for three years I have found a passion for journalism and plan to continue that passion throughout my life, taking what I have learned here into the world!
I have yet to see a student walk away from The Sopris Sun worse off than they started. Every single person pours their heart and soul into this paper and it shows. We are made by the community for the community so if you feel so inclined reach out to us at youthnews@soprissun.com Let us know what you want and thank you for another amazing year of The Sopris Stars!