By  Travis Gupton

The Selma Times-Journal

Selma High School has introduced a journalism class to its schedule this year.  Selma High students are learning the ropes of how to become good journalists.

Kristy Bettis teaches the journalism class. She said the addition of the class gives the students more time to put together the yearbook. “The main idea is having more time to build our yearbook,” Bettis said. “Also, it lets the kids get acclimated with what’s going on in the world or even in their community. I feel like if I don’t have them having a current event or having them doing some type of research, they’ll never know what’s going on in their community or in the world.”

The class is comprised mostly of upperclassmen with talents ranging from writing to graphic design. Bettis said the biggest obstacle in the class is pulling the talent out of her students. “They are completely shy when it comes to exposing themselves in front of their peers,” Bettis said. “But, they are so talented. I am at the point where I am like ‘no you are going to show us. I want you to show your student body or the world what you are capable of doing because we have some awesome kids here. We really do. We really have some awesome kids. Talented kids.”

As a teacher, Bettis has been a driving force behind the students’ success. One of the first things she did with the class was quickly remove one word.  “Can’t is not even a word in our vocabulary,” Bettis said. “I am always pushing them to explore new things as well and not be afraid to express themselves in front of their peers or in the community as a whole. I just want to give them the outlet to be able to see what they really can come up with within themselves.”