PV alumnus attributes successes to high school experiences

Jagoda Dul is one of the many Pascack Valley alumni who go to the University of Delaware.

She is working towards a double major in Political Science and Economics and a minor in journalism. She is the MVP of Finance for her sorority group, and Managing Editor of the UD Newspaper, The Review.

A couple years back, Jagoda was the Managing Editor of our very own The Smoke Signal.

She recalled being a part of an Intro to Journalism course with Mr. Buchanan during her freshman year in which she discovered her passion for writing.

Throughout the week, the staff of The Review works on writing different stories which will later debut in that week’s paper. On Monday nights, all of the stories are edited. In addition, the staff tweaks the layout, works with photography department, and writes up photo captions in order to piece together for that week’s print edition. The completed paper must be sent to the printer every Monday night in order to be issued out Tuesday morning to the students.

The college newspaper, according to Dul, has a more professional environment than the that of her high school experience with now retired newspaper advisor, Mrs. Bonnie Slockett.

“In college people want to help you. I’ve spoken to so many professors that are interested that want you to put your best work forwards. It’s a lot more work but you see more rewards,” Dul said.

The staff is encouraged to maintain a certain professional standard. As a result, it is a huge time commitment and it takes a lot of work. However, there are more resources available in college than those available in high school.

“Just the idea of being on a staff and working together to put out a paper really helped in my journalism experience in college,” Dul said.

Dul’s high school experience has only made her college newspaper experience richer. Professors look to see previous involvement, a statement that you are serious about what you do. 

In addition, the fact that PV is so technologically advanced has also contributed to her knowledge regarding computer programs. She knows how to operate many programs that her fellow students can’t.

“Being involved in high school is a very good way to start your ultimate career path. So much of what I have accomplished so far leads back to how hard I worked in high school. It’s 100 percent worth it,” Dul said.