Reporting from the halls of New Utrecht High School, student-run newspaper The Utrecht Pigeon aims to create an outlet where voices that are often disregarded are free to be expressed through poetry, writing and activism.
Last fall, the small staff of the Pigeon, now rising seniors, came together to allow “readers to learn the value of poetry and that there is real importance in student voices,” said original staff member Junjie Chen.
The students have been able to reap the fruits of their labor, as their coverage of requests for elevated bike racks and new trees have been approved.
“The students of The Pigeon truly care about their community,” said editor-in-chief Michael O’Hare. To him, that is“the most heartfelt thing.”
Moises Mejia, a newer member of The Pigeon staff, said being a part of the Pigeon allowed him to break out of his shell, that he has become more expressive and found common ground with readers through sharing his voice.
The Pigeon “brings together a group of students that are able to help each other through the challenges they face,” Chen said, whether it be academically, or emotionally, fostering strong relationships and uplifting work.
The paper has a significant focus on poetry, and O’Hare hopes that with this upcoming year, there will be more poetry submissions, as he feels it “greatly impacts people’s hearts and makes one think and meditate on its words, which is especially important for young people.”
Students also have the ability to submit anonymous work which O’Hare said gives students a voice, and empowers them to speak up.
Since its founding just 10 months ago, the paper has distributed hundreds of copies throughout their school and the local community. As the paper expanded so did its reach, highlighting the voices of students, many of those from difficult backgrounds who are searching for a way to tell their stories.
The curious name of the paper, The Utrecht Pigeon, came about when staff were reflecting upon the nature of the neighborhood and their surroundings. Noting the number of pigeons there were, they named their mascot Angel the Messenger Pigeon, and henceforth the title of the paper emerged, showcasing their desire to share a part of themselves with others through their work.
In the coming year, The Utrecht Pigeon staff hopes to expand the types of content they produce, showcase more voices, and increase their audience. Ultimately their mission remains, demonstrating that “student voices matter,” because not only do they have good ideas but they also have so much to share.
