An East Lake High sophomore has started the school's Literacy/News Society to promote literature and current event knowledge.
By JANE MADDEN WELCH
Published April 13, 2004
When Andrew DeLong proposed a literary/news society at East Lake High School, he knew it wasn't going to be considered a "cool" club. But that didn't stop him.
The love of reading that his parents instilled in him was something he wanted to share with other students.
So the 16-year-old sophomore went to a former teacher and asked whether she would sponsor the club.
"It was a wonderful idea," said Pakita Leone, an English and language arts teacher.
"There is a population of students who want to do something outside the classroom . . . who love reading," she said.
The mission statement in DeLong's proposal reads, "The purpose of the Literacy/News Society is to read, discuss and become better informed on literature works and the news (current events) of today."
DeLong serves as moderator at the biweekly meetings held in a classroom after school, where the group discusses local and global headlines.
Club member Amanda Willyoung said, "I tend to avoid the news, I don't usually want to deal with it. The one time I really talk about current events is when I come here." Sophomore Chelsea Kelley, 16, said she's interested in world events and loves the news.
"There's more to life than just trivial matters that pertain to high school events. There's, you know, news out there, and we're going to be going to college fairly soon, or if not, we're going out into the real world," she said. "If we already know to pay attention to current events now, it will help us later."
The group also discusses an assigned book from the club's reading list.
The first book was suggested by Leone: J.D. Salinger's classic, coming-of-age novel, Catcher in the Rye.
DeLong also suggested the club officers read Robert's Rules of Order to help keep their lively discussions going smoothly.
"Most of us have strong opinions," said Rebecca Risberg, 17. "It's interesting to hear other people's point of view."
One of the benefits DeLong said members get is learning to speak confidently in public and become a more effective communicator.
"I like to debate, but I have stage fright," said Willyoung, 15. "I can be loud and obnoxious here."
DeLong said the group selects members carefully and emphasizes that members should be supportive, "not biased or rude."
A self-described bookworm with a passion for writing, DeLong said he's known for a long time that he wants to pursue a career in journalism. In addition to being the president and founder of the Literary/News Society, DeLong is on the school newspaper staff and next year will be the news editor. He is a correspondent representing East Lake High School for the monthly Oldsmar Monitor.
A Palm Harbor native, DeLong aspires to attend Columbia University.
"What's striking about Andrew is that an underclassman would take the initiative to launch something like this without knowing if it would go or not," Leone said.
"I know from having Andrew as a student that he has excellent leadership abilities and a willingness to be flexible." she said. Both are important characteristics in undertaking a new enterprise, she added.
"It's remarkable Andrew has had a consistent group all year. A lot of time, kids drop out," she said.
This year, the club has 11 members. "We don't represent a big percentage of the school's students, but I think the club is awesome," Kelley said.
DeLong has ambitious plans for next year: getting the PTA to fund a newsletter, publishing a book of members' works, maybe outreach to other schools.
He is also open to suggestions from club members, whom he now thinks of as good friends.
"Belonging to the society may not be seen as the coolest thing to do, but we, as a club, strongly believe reading will enrich out lives," he said.
