Press pass in hand, high school student Cole commanded the microphone at the basketball game, serving as commentator for a local broadcast. With guidance from journalism and communications professionals, the cub reporter learned the ins and outs of broadcast techniques and technology, as well as tips to conduct interviews with coaches and players. He loved every minute.
Cole—along with 500 high school students each year—can thank the MoCo Literacy Project for this experience.
“We're helping students understand the value of journalism,” says Tommy Lee Francis, publisher of Morgan County Today, the Veteran-owned, Wartburg, TN-based community newspaper behind the student program.
“The MoCo Literacy Project allows students who have a passion for writing and reading be involved (in the field). We hope that they’ll carry the torch and not let journalism die.”
When the project launched in 2019, its focus was on developing literacy skills by distributing newspapers free of charge to high schools to help students adopt the habit of reading every day.
High school broadcast students with the MoCo Literacy Project take part in a post-game breakdown with Tommy Lee Francis, far left, and local school official Kyle Ryan, far right.
The county has some of the lowest literacy rates in the state, Francis explains, noting the population of 22,500 citizens includes approximately 2,500 inmates at a federal prison, the largest employer in the region.
“Literacy is behind, but we’re catching up,” he adds.
Today, the MoCo Literacy Project continues to distribute free newspapers—but also partners with schools, teachers and local organizations to provide learning opportunities that foster critical thinking, literacy and communication skills.
Students like Cole who participate in journalism and communications apprenticeships have their work shared on Morgan County Today’s platforms.
