Northwest Indiana is bursting with good news! With over 40 high schools across the region, it almost seems impossible to share it all. The #1StudentNWI program was created to make that possible. The program showcases high school journalists from Hammond to La Porte, stretching all across Northwest Indiana.
Dr. Steve Disney, superintendent at River Forest High School, is enthusiastic about the program and loves seeing his own #1StudentNWI, Hailey Bianco, grow as a journalist and person, while sharing all the good news going on around the small community.
“I’ve seen [Hailey] evolve a lot. She began with some journalism interests and talent, but seeing where she started to where she is now, it’s given her confidence and helped build a stronger skill set. It makes me so proud to see the leadership. It’s not just about reporting. She is a student leader within our building and whenever I see any of my students succeed and go beyond expectations is the most reinforcing thing I can see as an educator,” Disney stated, beaming with pride for the program and his school.
Ideas in Motion Media offers such a unique opportunity to students who participate in the #1StudentNWI program by providing many networking opportunities, personal friendships, and professional relationships. Students are able to explore the field of journalism before college while gaining real-world internship experience and getting their work professionally published. This, in turn, helps to build strong college applications and resumes.
“There is not just one thing that is so special about being a #1StudentNWI. The benefits are endless and I think it gives you a staple of pride by sharing things about your school that wouldn’t be known otherwise,” Disney explained.
The #1StudentNWI program has grown tremendously in the past year, reaching 32 different high schools across Northwest Indiana, but there is still a gap in the program. Ideas in Motion Media has always aimed to have a student from all 43 region high schools. With 16 graduating seniors departing the program soon, now is the time to welcome some new faces to the program.
Students are needed from many of Region high schools, including: Bishop Noll, Calumet New Tech, Crown Point, Hanover Central, Hebron, Morgan Township, New Prairie, and the Thea Bowman Leadership Academy, not to mention the many others we'll need as the seniors graduate and move on after high school!
For more information on the program please reach out to Jennifer Bissonnette, jennifer@ideasinmotionmedia.com
You can also check out work from our current #1Students here.