Given the chance ...
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June 3, 2013 |
By Mike Weland
With the recent Bonners Ferry High School
graduation of 2013, News Bonners Ferry reached
an unanticipated milestone. As publisher of this
journal, I have not had a moment more proud or
rewarding.
You may have read Sally Balcaen's words on these
pages; though well written, honest and with the
best intent, some took umbrage. That's the bane
of being an honest reporter.
Instead of giving up or giving in, Sally kept
writing, and I was proud to have kept
publishing, editing and advising.
She was handed her diploma, and it was announced
that she plans to pursue a career in journalism.
"I want to take this moment to thank you for the
wonderful opportunity you gave me to have a
small taste of what it is to be a journalist,"
she wrote me. "I've realized that this is my
calling and hope to pursue it," she wrote,
"Thank you so much for supporting me and for
giving me a chance to publish my words. I am
greatly indebted to you."
I beg to differ; I am indebted to her. She had
the courage to write, and to see her words
published, Every story she wrote got better,
even though she faced backlash and suffered
consequence.
I took many pictures of the graduation, but I
was shaking so hard I couldn't get a good shot
when Sally and her good friend, Sarah Schuman,
who took several of the pictures I used, were
called forward.
Both of them thanked me for an opportunity. By
right, I thank them. Both have the talent and
ability; their work is some of the most popular
on this site.
I have been fortunate to have given them the
chance to share their talent.
I wish them both the best, and I thank them for
giving my readers so much.
All I offered was a chance to try. They did.
It's my hope that I can give more kids a chance. |
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