Nyla Smith is the News Editor for the Hawkeye student newspaper of Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas. In conjunction with the communications team, Smith works alongside her fellow officers and specialists to share pertinent information concerning New Voices in a timely, accessible manner. 

“I think it’s important to advocate for scholastic press freedom because students, just like regular journalists, should be allowed to spread information that affects the student body, to the student body. Just like how citizens have the right to know what’s going on in politics, students have the right to know what’s going on in their schools. No matter if it makes someone look bad or not.”

What I Do

As the North Texas Regional Organizer of New Voices Texas, I work to spread our message for the removal of student censorship in the state by communicating with legislators and getting in contact with student journalists and advisers. I am responsible for collaborating with student publications through email in districts 9, 10, and 11, and helping them effectively communicate with their legislators and students about the New Voices of Texas message. I also connect with journalists in my region to spread awareness of legislative sessions that take place and set up regional coalitions throughout North Texas. 

I will measure my success as a regional organizer by how many individuals, both those who are and are not in journalism, I can effectively reach and persuade to join the New Voices of Texas cause. I also hope to keep all publications within North Texas engaged with the legislative sessions and in the fight against student censorship. 

By the end of the school year, I hope to have reached as many people as I possibly can to support our fight, and also to have successfully showcased the true importance of what New Voices of Texas is and what we do.