RMS Students Publish Top-Tier Newspaper, The Oliver Ave Journal

A new club has made its mark at Richfield Middle School. The Newspaper Club, which officially launched at the beginning of this school year, quickly gained traction and began publishing its own monthly print newspaper, The Oliver Ave Journal. The club, led by Photography teacher Melvin Willis, brings together students in a variety of roles—from interviewers to writers, photographers and editors—all contributing to the creation of each edition.

The process behind each edition is a collaborative effort, with each student contributing in a unique way. Story ideas are brainstormed as a group, and roles are assigned to each member—interviewers conduct one-on-one interviews with students and staff, writers turn those interviews into stories, photographers capture images for each article, and editors ensure everything is polished and ready for publication.

"One of the coolest things is how much the students take ownership of the process," said Mr. Willis. "They really do everything themselves, from brainstorming story ideas to the final edits. It's their vision, and they’re completely responsible for making it happen."

“Newspaper Club comes with supportive friends,” said RMS student Julia. Etta agrees, describing the Newspaper Club as “one big fun and chaotic family.” 

In a recent edition of The Oliver Ave Journal, student reporter Lily wrote, “I really love being part of the newspaper. I have fun and it’s a great opportunity to make good friends. I get to be creative, which is super important to me.”

The club adheres to a strict deadline so that editions of their newspaper can be published each month. According to Mr. Willis, one of the most rewarding aspects of the club is seeing how much the students' peers look forward to each issue.

"It’s amazing to see how much interest the other students have in the newspaper," Mr. Willis shared. "They really enjoy reading the articles and following the stories we cover."

Recent editions of the newspaper have featured a variety of sections, including the Teacher of the Month, interviews with various RMS staff members and administrators, fun and educational stories such as “How to Talk in Pig Latin” and “The Difference Between Grogu and Baby Yoda,” as well as student highlights like poems, short stories, cartoon graphics and artwork. The club also covers school events, sports, and features monthly book and movie recommendations. They even sat down with Richfield Mayor Mary Supple for a feature story in the February 2025 edition!

There was such a demand for the newspaper that in early 2025, the club began publishing a Spanish version each month. 

“I love the newspaper club because I get to do really fun projects with my friends,” wrote club member Josslin in the first edition of the newspaper. “I really like the fact that we get to experiment with cameras and reporter jobs. Also, Mr. Willis is super kind and VERY funny.”

The success of the Newspaper Club has created a strong sense of community among the students at Richfield Middle School. With each edition, the club members continue to refine their skills while contributing to a product they are all proud of.