In the fabulous ’50′s, we learned the value of speaking softly by carrying a big pen. To test our skills as scribes, the classroom was our lab. A two-part course was offered at Proctor High School, labeled “Journalism 1 and 2” and aptly taught by Peter Dodge. In Journalism 1, we learned the rudiments of news reporting: who, what, when and where.

Just the facts please - no “fake news” allowed. News stories had to be accurate and timely, always seeking to scoop the competitors. We were also exposed to the art of the editorial: expressing opinions in an interesting and convincing manner.