The Indian Trail Middle School Newspaper Club aims to tell stories but also push students to embrace research and writing.
The club publishes the IT Paw Print monthly, and this is its second year in operation. The paper is distributed to classrooms electronically.
Printed versions are also given to students during study halls at the beginning of each school day.
Two former students Ava Ross and Aaliya Justo brought the club idea to Aggie Ferris, Indian Trail Library and Media Center Specialist, in 2025. Ferris is the club’s sponsor.
Ross and Justo are now attending Plainfield High School-Central Campus.
Fourteen student writers and editors in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades were in the club this year, said Ferris.
This year’s student editors were eighth graders Stellah Berg and Allyson Alsing, who have been part of the club since its inception in 2025.
Berg said she joined to enhance her writing skills and work with her friends.
Alsing said she enjoyed interviewing people, including Dr. Glenn Wood, Superintendent of Schools.
The eight published issues include articles about sports, events, teachers, and even a fashion and life hack column by school custodian Sara Junkroski.
Students say they enjoy the club because they get to spend time with friends, and the club is fun.
“I joined because I always had a passion for writing and the club could help me improve my skills,” said seventh-grader Adison Thompson.
Helping students to not only improve but also embrace their writing skills is a club goal, Ferris said.
“Written communication to some extent is an endangered but critical art,” she said.
Clear communication is a necessary skill in many professions, and this club encourages that, Ferris said.
It was fun to see the students' writing improve with each issue, she said.
“They got recognition for something that kids don’t normally get recognized for,” Ferris said.
