Visiting the James Buchanan High School Journalism/Yearbook class Friday, September 8, Andy Abel, editor of The Mercersburg Journal, shared his experiences in the newspaper business and explained the importance of print news.

Abel encouraged students to engage in extracurricular activities including writing for the school and local newspaper in order to have experiences outside of the classroom, and to get more involved in current community affairs. 

He also shared that with social media losing the appeal it once had due to the sensationalized stories, print media is making a comeback. Abel asserted that local journalists not only help build a closer community, but they help to keep authorities honest by reminding them of promises and goals set for the community. He urged students to share their interestes and stories not only with the school online paper, The Rocket Flame, but with The Mercersburg Journal. Abel would enjoy seeing other writers’ names attached to printed articles.