Jordan Sisco is the Associate Editor of the Maverick Yearbook at McNeil High School in Round Rock, Texas.

“The responsibility of student journalists is to encourage curious younger audiences to learn by writing informative stories of real-world events we endure in our everyday life. Our job is impossible to do when certain topics are censored by school administrators or state law for being “too risky.” Journalists play an important role in informing various audiences of today’s current events. They would be incapable of publishing these news stories if they were censored for writing about topics that are “too risky.” Why should student journalists be censored on these same topics when we are enduring the same events as adults? Student journalists aspire to work in various fields of journalism including politics, sports, etc. These dreams and goals begin to decay as administrators deny their work from being published. The future of journalism is dependent on student journalists and our passion for working in this field. Our work is vital for informing audiences and representing groups who may go unnoticed otherwise. Student publications are the backbone for inspiring students to inform curious audiences, represent unseen groups, and teach aspiring student journalists the skills they need to inform our future generations.”

What I Do

As the communications specialist of New Voices Texas, I work alongside Fakheri Zayed, our communications officer, to promote information about the importance of students’ rights in journalism. We will work together on multiple social media platforms to inform various audiences of the impact censorship has on student journalists and the benefits of New Voices legislation for the State of Texas.

I am responsible for collaborating with Fakheri to design captivating and informative posts for current and incoming New Voices supporters. I hope, with the help of our eye-catching and enlightening infographics, to gain the digital attention of various audiences and encourage their support of student journalists writing about real-world events.

I will measure success as an officer by the size and diversity of our audience. No matter the age, gender, race, sexuality, occupation, etc. This effort is important for the future of journalism. I hope to significantly grow our following on our varying social media platforms. The more promotion people see the more they will want to learn.

By the end of the school year, I want to accomplish the New Voices legislation being passed as a legal document for the State of Texas. I want to prove how significant student journalists’ rights are to our state politicians with the help of our supporters. I want to help students, teachers, and lawmakers alike be on the same page in seeing the unfavorable impact censorship has on aspiring journalists and gain their support for student journalists’ rights. communicate with others and develop extracurricular experience in a field that I’m passionate about through New Voices.