Collegiate Times

But we were not to be left in this abyss of despair. Support for our actions grew as the community discovered the conflict. In less than a week, over forty letters appeared in Ms. Nelson's inbox. She had returned to us, and the journalism room had become carpeted with e-mails giving support to the writers and what we chose to publish. Soon the e-mails blossomed into a beautiful Facebook group spawning even more support from past journalists and current students.

Eyes now looked toward Principal Wardinski for answers. Parents and students alike asked why the administration had not found out about the deplorable actions reported first and why the journalism program was suffering for shedding light on events that affect their readers. In an effort to keep up the fair and just reputation of the Oracle, we asked for letters to the editor to be submitted. A plethora of documents proclaiming support flooded in. Finding dissenting opinions was not so easy. After spending a week asking some of the teachers who were so adamant about putting an end to the paper, we finally found one to agree to write a letter. That issue featured 12 letters in support and one in disagreement.

By June, the terror had subsided and the paper was back to its normal function. In lieu of an apology from Wardinski, he came into class and told us, "the Oracle would not be disbanded at this point in time." Ms. Nelson resumed her position of adviser and resumed her loving abuse, this time on the new seniors who took the positions of editors.

When most people think of the freedom of the press, they think that it only applies to national publications. They tend to forget about the high school papers that circulate the country. But without this guarded freedom to pen, one's thoughts are merely imprisoned in one's mind. Truth becomes relative when a higher authority can define it.

If Ms. Nelson had not been so adamant about protecting our rights, even as student journalists, the paper would no longer serve as a student voice. She could have stopped going to meetings and debating with her superiors - she could have just agreed to a censured paper. But the strength of knowing that there is freedom in being able to write about what is closest to the heart is what inspires and justifies the ongoing fight for freedom.

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