Newspapers serve their communities by keeping readers informed, connecting neighbors and highlighting social causes. The Valley Voice seeks to do similar things for the Conestoga Valley School District community.

A student-operated and student-published newspaper, The Valley Voice is a source, a resource and a learning tool. It teaches the role that newspapers can play in our society and encourages students to write about things affecting their worlds.

"(The Valley Voice) is the voice for the entire campus and the Conestoga Valley student community," said Janae Lapp, The Valley Voice's publication's adviser and a journalism and English teacher at Conestoga Valley High School (CVHS). "When we're writing about things in our school, (being a voice) is something we've got to be so aware of. I tell (the students), 'You're students, but you're also reporters.' I tell them, 'I will publish editorials, but I won't publish rants.' (Editorials) are opinion based on facts. It's organized. We try to do our best to make sure when we're reporting on things that it's as accurate, fact-based and unbiased as possible."

The Valley Voice is not a printed newspaper; it's a publication that appears totally online. It's the product of a club or an extracurricular activity whose 10 to 12 members are CVHS students in grades nine through 12.

They meet as an editorial staff one morning each week before the start of the school day.

"They definitely tend to be self-motivated students," said Lapp. "It's extra work outside the classroom. It's not easy. Many have leadership abilities and enjoy writing. If some students don't enjoy writing, they may do photography. There is a place for students who don't enjoy writing."

"I joined the Valley Voice because I wanted to have a voice at Conestoga Valley High School," said Claire Shenk, the student newspaper's editor in chief. "Being on the newspaper has taught me how important and impactful the student body is and how important it is for students to be heard within the community."

The Valley Voice features six sections: Campus Life, News, Arts and Entertainment, Commentary, Sports, and Comics and Photography. Each section has an assigned student editor, and editors and writers are encouraged to communicate and work together to foster story ideas and fine-tune submitted content.

"Campus Life and Commentary tend to be the topics that impact the most students," said Lapp. "Over the years, I've learned to collect (story) ideas for them. I give them suggestions. Often, when (student writers) are involved with things, they're wanting to write about them. Some write about issues in school, issues in the community, issues in the world."

"If the students take the journalism class, they learn very specific skills," continued Lapp. "If they have any involvement in The Valley Voice, I want them to take away that they have a voice through writing. Giving them those journalism skills allows them to (write) in a more professional way. (Being involved with The Valley Voice) allows them to be a citizen. It's a feeling I want all the students in The Valley Voice to feel."

Lapp characterized The Valley Voice's online format as having the potential to reach a much broader audience.

"(The role of newspapers in communities) is something we talk a lot about," said Lapp. "I think the role of media has changed. This age of students doesn't typically read news in print. I think it's important for students to learn that there's value in slower mediums. It's important to know where their news is coming from."

The Valley Voice operates outside the structures of deadlines. Article submissions are published as they are received and after going through the editing process.

"We need to be flexible," said Lapp. "Students are involved in many, many things. But I hope people are willing to listen to this generation because some of the things they have to say are very important."

"I love being a part of The Valley Voice," said Olivia Hernandez, The Valley Voice's arts and entertainment editor. "I've loved all of the opportunities that have come my way since I joined the club. I love to write, and I feel as though The Valley Voice gives me a welcoming and positive place to do so."

For additional information about The Valley Voice, go to https://newblog.conestogavalley.org/thevalleyvoice.