By Jessica Hawkins Cass Tech Staff Writer
Since 1985, the Detroit Free High School Journalism Program has provided a place for Detroit students to practice their reporting, writing and editing skills. Free Press staff members help create a school newspaper four times a year and update content to FreepHigh.com.
But when news that the Free Press could no longer financially support the program, the Knight Foundation and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan donated $50,000 to keep the program going for the current academic year. The program also found a new home: Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.
“This is a great partnership that will strengthen the High School Journalism Program for many years to come,” said Joy Visconti, director of the program.
Longtime sponsor Ford remains invested in the program, including its annual award of a $24,000 college scholarship to a student in the program who plans to major in journalism. Now everyone involved will work together to secure future funding.
Additionally, the Free Press offers paid summer apprenticeships for high school students in the Metro Detroit area. Last summer five students from the High School Journalism Program participated.
