State school boards grouprecognizes 'Reality Check'
By Leigh Ann Maze
Nancy Offer, adviser to the Los Gatos High School student publication Reality Check, can't stop smiling. The Reality Check staff will be honored Dec. 11 at the prestigious 20th annual Golden Bell Awards at the California School Boards Association luncheon in San Francisco.
Although Reality Check has received praise and recognition from many parents and the school board, the Golden Bell is their first award, and "it's a biggie," Offer said.
Golden Bell awards promote excellence in education by recognizing outstanding programs in school districts throughout California. Reality Check won in the category of "student support" after being nominated by district superintendent Cynthia Ranii.
"I think it truly serves the need of our students, and it's nice when students who make these kinds of commitments get recognition," LGHS principal Trudy McCulloch said.
Reality Check was started in the spring of 1997 by Offer and Lauren Goodwin, who now attends Santa Clara University. The seven publications each school year address the real, yet often unspoken issues in teens' lives, such as insecurity, drugs, sexuality, death, relationships, and academic and peer pressure.
"It gives teens an anonymous forum [in which] to share the absolute truth about what's going on," Goodwin said. "In a town like Los Gatos, that can be difficult. Having the opportunity to tell it like it is can be an invaluable experience."
Each issue contains anonymous, unedited stories collected from the student body on a particular topic. Psychologist Sue Shoff writes professional advice on the chosen topic in each issue, and resources are listed for teens who seek further support.
"Even if the issue isn't experienced by everyone, everyone benefits from knowing the different lives we all lead," said senior Seamus Ryan, who has been on the staff for two years. Ryan was one of four staff members selected to write the application for the Golden Bell Award, and cites Reality Check as the extracurricular activity he is most proud to be involved in.
Written by and for LGHS students on their own time, Reality Check is mailed to the homes of almost every student, with the exception of those whose parents choose not to receive it. The publication shows students they are not alone in the problems they face, and it gives parents a glimpse into what's going on in teens' lives today. Goodwin said when she and Offer started Reality Check, they had no idea would grow so quickly and become so successful.
"It's been a neat metamorphosis, watching Reality Check grow from just an idea into something worthy of winning statewide recognition," said Joel Key, a senior who has been a staff member since Reality Check's inception three years ago.
The staff is now working on its next two issues, which will focus on marijuana and anger and rage.
"The award is thrilling, particularly because these kids work so hard, and they work from the heart," Offer said. "It's an award not just for the staff, but for the kids at Los Gatos High who trusted us to provide a vehicle by which they can be heard."
The following students have contributed their time, effort and creativity to the success of Reality Check: Keith Busam, Laura Destro, Lauren Goodwin and Ryan Giordano, all 1998 graduates; and Seb Bailey, Francesca Doriss, Mikha Elliott, Noona Joseph, Adnan Safadi, all 1999 graduates. The current staff consists of Evan Brown, Mary Elliott, Mark Fredrickson, Joel Key, Max Morse, Kristina Roskos, Seamus Ryan, Greg Ryder, Natalie Sadler, Rachel Sax, Zoe Segnitz and Natasha Wilder.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
