The Piedmont Journal is proud to announce the addition of four new reporters — all students at Piedmont High School.

These four students will be learning about the newspaper business from the inside. The Journal staff will guide them through the process of generating story ideas, interviewing, writing, editing, and providing photos for their articles.

This project will allow the students to learn about the news business, become better writers and listeners and get to know their town a little better. Many of the things they'll learn can carry over to other careers as well. Interviewing skills, writing and editing, careful listening, and critical thinking are all essential tools that can be applied in a variety of professions.

Ashlee Jones is a senior at PHS. She's interested in graphic design, and so she will be working on various aspects of newspaper design, looking back at old issues of The Journal to see how things have changed over the years. She'll also work on various other assignments with a design aspect.

Kerry Parmer is also a senior at PHS. Kerry is interested in writing, and is an avid horseback rider. Her family cares for dozens of horses at their home in Piedmont. Kerry will be tackling all sorts of assignments.

Jennie Thrasher is a senior and a cheerleader for PHS. She'll be focusing on the cheerleaders and on some other school organizations that deserve coverage. In addition, she'll be given assignments that will bring new and interesting stories to readers.

Our last student reporter is Jalen Johnson, who is a junior at PHS and a member of the state champion football team. Jalen loves sports and being on the inside gives him an insight into the Bulldogs. His first assignment is to write about the championship Bulldogs, the games and the hard work that got them to Tuscaloosa.

A special thanks to Suzanne Haney, English teacher at PHS, for helping The Journal find these four talented students.