Tribune editors and reporters first started meeting with students working at Highland High’s newspaper in 2024. We were interested in working with them for two reasons.
As a nonprofit, The Tribune wants to strengthen journalism statewide, at all levels and in all corners of Utah. Second, we are keenly aware that we must understand how the next generation of Utahns is finding news and information, so we can continue to be a resource for Utahns for years to come.
We took the better part of this year to speak with multiple high school newsrooms to figure out how we might build a more robust relationship, or program, with them as we move forward and into the next school year. More on our future plans to come, as fall approaches.
For now, back to Highland’s students. The Salt Lake City teens brought the No. 1 quality that I look for in a journalist, which is curiosity. They are determined and diligent, optimistic but also clear-eyed about the world they’re set to enter as adults. It was a joy to work with them.
As students and their high school advisor, Brandon Winn, discussed story ideas with Tribune journalists and our director of collaboratives, Heather May, they decided they’d like to co-publish reporting ahead of the end of the 2024-25 school year. Some students also offered their perspectives on college, Utah beauty standards, anxiety and more. We are sharing their stories with you here.
We also printed a special section of their work. You’ll see there are advertisements from local businesses. I hope you’ll take the time to look at them, in addition to the students’ reporting. These businesses, by virtue of advertising in The Tribune, are supporting Highland’s newspaper, The Rambler. Proceeds from the special section will enable Rambler students to pay for the cost of printing at least 2 out of 6 editions next year. We are grateful for their support and for The Trib’s advertising team for their enthusiasm on this effort.
And we are grateful to you for reading and supporting our nonprofit newsroom.
Lauren Gustus is Executive Editor and CEO of The Tribune