A learning process disguised in the form of a competition

How campus journalism shaped my mindset

- By JAZMINE JOY L. QUINTO

The author

I joined the school publication with nothing but a pen, a piece of paper, and hope, but I am leaving with lessons and a clearer purpose that will guide me forward as I prepare to face more complex realities of the unheard.

I was in grade 9 when I learned that the school was reviving the English publication following a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. My classmates encouraged me to join, but I was hesitant. My journalistic skills had gone astray since I stopped writing after graduating from elementary school.

Suddenly, I found myself standing in line to register for the role of news writer. Of course, I was worried—it was not my field. But I figured it was an opportunity for redemption, a chance to restore my long-gone academic achiever title. That was my initial purpose of joining.

Our adviser appointed me as the news writer for the Collaborative Desktop Publishing Contest (CPC). Due to the pandemic, I lost the most important asset needed in CPC—my communication skills. It was a challenge.

During the training sessions and up until the main competition, I struggled to interact with my teammates, which became a barrier to the smooth flow of information. As much as I wanted to talk, I could not bring myself to do it. Fortunately, we won third place at the division level, and I was more than happy because it was my first time competing at that level, and I had already come so far.