The Herald Newspapers is partnering with Sevier County high schools to kick off the Herald Scholastic Program, to encourage young people to pursue careers in journalism.
The Seymour Herald’s managing editor David Grimes met with educators from each of the area’s high schools on Friday, March 21 to explain the program and how it can benefit students.
“Our goal is to stimulate interest in journalism careers,” Grimes said, “And the best way to achieve this goal is to try engaging the interest of the student before they’ve reached college.”
Grimes took the visiting educators on a brief tour of The Herald’s new facilities at Seymour Business Park and laid out the guidelines for the plan, which will begin immediately.
“We want students at each of the high schools to have an opportunity to see their stories published in the Herald,” Grimes said. “To that end, we’re soliciting contributions from any student who wishes to participate.”
Visiting The Herald offices on Friday were Melinda Derrick representing Sevier County High School, Catherine Fisher of Pigeon Forge High School, Janice Miller from Seymour High School, and Gale Houser from Gatlinburg Pittman High School. Also present was Larry Stott, a representative of the Sevier County School system. Each received a set of editorial guidelines for submissions to The Herald and discussed ways of getting students interested in careers in journalism.
“The involvement of educators in this program is key,” Grimes told the teachers present. “If we can get you excited about the course, then we hope some of that enthusiasm will filter down to your students. We literally can’t do it without you.”
Students who wish to submit stories for consideration for publication should contact the teacher at their school who is responsible for liaising with The Herald. In that way that teacher can provide the student with the editorial requirements and guidance on possible topics for stories. The Herald is looking for submissions covering issues that are of concern to the community at large, and the editors feel that area high school students have something important to say and unique viewpoints to express.
“If the program is as successful as we hope, we plan to extend the program to intermediate and middle schools also,” Grimes said.
Students who have their articles chosen for inclusion in The Herald will receive certificates honoring their achievement, as will the teacher who sponsors the student and each school.
For further information on how your school can participate in the program, call David Grimes at the Herald offices at (865) 577-6609. To begin the process of submitting your story for publication, contact the teacher/sponsor at your high school.

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