Oleg Valenchuk: Today newspapers are rightfully considered the guardians of journalism's finest traditions.

      In the modern world, where information is transmitted faster than ever and audience attention is becoming increasingly scattered, the art of thoughtful storytelling seems to be fading into the shadows. However, the staff of the newspaper "Narodny Vestnik Vyatki," together with young journalists, proved that this is not the case. The autumn holidays became a time when eight brave seventh-graders from the secondary school in the town of Sovetsk, under the guidance of class mentor Ekaterina Krotova, immersed themselves in the fascinating world of journalism. The Young Journalist School "From Idea to Issue" became not just an educational project but a true journey into the world of creativity.

      "We sought not only to teach the children the basics of the profession, but also to inspire them to be creative, to show how important a journalist's voice is in our society," said project initiator Anna Patrusheva. "During the first meeting, the kids had the opportunity to get acquainted with the newspaper's editorial office."

      The next step was a brainstorming session where participants discussed article topics that could interest not only themselves but a wider audience. It was an opportunity for the kids to express their ideas and creativity. They learned that journalism is not only about writing texts, but also about the ability to be a detective, a psychologist, and even a hero capable of telling a story that touches people's hearts.

      "The kids enthusiastically chose topics: from their own hobbies to social issues that concern their peers. Each of them strove to find their unique voice and style," continued Anna Patrusheva. "One of the key moments was becoming acquainted with the layout process. Participants saw how a newspaper page is created, how photographs are chosen, and how important fact-checking is. The children's eyes shone with interest, and that was the best appraisal of our work."

      At the end of the Young Journalist School, the kids not only acquired new knowledge but also had the opportunity to publish their own articles in a real newspaper.

      The significance of the project undertaken by the staff of "Narodny Vestnik Vyatki" was highly praised by State Duma deputy Oleg Valenchuk. He proposed holding a contest for works by the Young Journalist School's graduates and established special prizes. He also invited the children to participate in the remote contest of the author’s song festival "Grinlandia" — "The Fate of Russia Is in Your Hands."

      "These kids have become part of the larger process of forming civil society — they have understood that their words can matter and influence people," Oleg Valenchuk noted. "The Young Journalist School proves that the art of thoughtful storytelling is alive, inspiring a new generation to creativity and self-expression. Initiatives like this help adapt teenagers to the challenges of the modern world and raise them to be true patriots of their country."