– BACK-TO-SCHOOL Special Edition! –

 Welcome to the 25th annual Back to School special edition of the Northeast News! For a quarter-century, Northeast News has dedicated highlighting all things education around the Northeast — providing valuable resources for students and parents alike. This special edition of the weekly paper ties directly into the mission of Northeast News and community journalism by giving a  voice to those who may otherwise be overlooked and underserved. 

  Our 2024 summer interns have spent nearly two months working diligently on this project to ensure our readership receives the finest and most useful information. We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with you and continue to support our community’s schools — whether they be public, private or charter. Here’s to another great school year!

The best way to support community journalism is to get involved. This is achieved by subscribing to newspapers and newsletters, following local media outlets on social media, purchasing advertising space in non-profit papers and attending local events.

RobyLane Kelley – Editorial Intern

Since coming to Northeast News just over two months ago, I have learned what it truly means to serve a community as a journalist.

In my last job within the field, I produced live TV broadcasts, but I wasn’t reporting. I wasn’t actively listening and trying to help plan which stories needed further coverage. The most I reported on was traffic accidents and police reports with the occasional fluff piece on residential Christmas lights or bull riding on New Year’s Eve. However, I wasn’t writing.

In my time at Northeast News, I’ve met and spoken with people who are the reason these six neighborhoods are special and diverse. My favorite story thus far (I am writing this prior to the Honey Harvest and I have a passion for bees — we’ll see if I have a new favorite after.) includes a piece on  the nation’s first cowboys with Kansas City Museum Resident Historian, Gene T. Chávez.

I loved seeing event attendees interact and offer support toward Chávez and Tony Florez. My favorite part of this entire story was learning about a cultural community — especially one I do not belong to. Chávez has a deep interest in the topics he has studied and, as Michael Bushnell told me when he gave me the story, “He’s a cool cat.”

As a journalist, it is my job to serve the community. Serving the Northeast has taught me that I still have a lot to learn — like Spanish! Although we are extremely lucky to have our Education Reporter Daisy Garcia Montoya translate, I want to work toward a place where I can write my stories in both English and Spanish. I look forward to continuing to serve the community through my work this fall.

Emily Wheeler – Editorial Intern

 Three years ago, I moved to Kansas City from Republic, Mo., to attend the University of Missouri-Kansas City. However, Kansas City never truly felt like home until I moved into the Scarritt Renaissance neighborhood earlier this spring. The experience of living and working in Historic Northeast Kansas City continues as a great privilege — and the short commute is an added bonus.

  This internship has provided an opportunity to deeply explore the Northeast and all it has to offer. The people here are passionate about continually improving their community. They are hardworking and driven — dedicated to making the HNE better for everyone. Connecting with the community and its resources on a personal level has shown me why community journalism is so vital.

  Community journalism ensures the voices of those who may otherwise be overlooked remain heard. It gives the Northeast the spotlight it deserves through celebrating its achievements, promoting accountability among local leaders and encouraging resident engagement. By focusing on local issues, community journalism strengthens the fabric of its neighborhood, fosters a sense of belonging and highlights the unique stories that larger media outlets might miss. Through this experience, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact  community journalism has on fostering a strong and informed community.