The Bear Truth News has been Winter Springs High School’s newspaper and journalism class since back when the school first opened in 1997. It is held in room 5-210 while being run by Ms Freeman during her 7th period. Even though they only release one physical issue each semester, they make up for it by posting numerous articles on their website BearTruthNews.com weekly.

While writing is the main focus, there is still much more to the class. Students get the opportunity to take up leadership roles, strengthen their writing skills, get their articles published by the Sanford Herald, and even go on field trips when enough money is raised. The Bear Truth News involves frequent collaboration with fellow peers and Ms Freeman. She believes that the class operates more like a business than a typical high school elective. For talented students that are passionate about writing and wish to do more for the class, Ms Freeman suggests that they become student officers. The officers take up extra roles and become more involved. Some roles include Chief Copy Editor, Chief Sports Editor, Editor in Chief, and Chief Web Editor. Along with the chief roles, there are junior roles that assist. For new or non-officer students they gain the title of the Bear Truth News’ Staff Reporters. The Staff Reporters have less responsibility but still contribute to the newspaper. These students’ jobs are to write enticing articles about school news, recent events, popular media, or anything else they may be tempted to write about. After their first quarter, staff reporters can apply to become officers or junior officers but it is not required.

Ms Freeman has been working on getting a journalism honors society into winter springs high school. It is called the Quill and Scroll Society. If a student is an officer in The Bear Truth News and is a junior or senior, they are able to join automatically if interested. This honor society opens many new opportunities for students. The honor society members are eligible to enter their work in the International Writing and Photo Contest which offers various benefits. Alongside the honors society, the Bear Truth News has done many other things to be involved in the school events. For the past few years, they have participated in countless activities. Last year 24-25 they attended the trunk or treat event and passed out candy with the most recent issue of their newspaper. Some students are also thinking of starting a podcast discussing what will be in the recent issue or what is new to the website. The Bear Truth News is heavily involved in school activities and full of passionate students that will always be welcoming to any interested in joining.