Whenever I work on The Lifeguard Online, I cannot help thinking about the great journalists who gave us the experience to keep The Lifeguard alive. They – Liz Jeneault, Lydia Jimenez, Simran Arora, Rachael Grannell, and the other members of the journalism class of 2009 – are a good part of what inspired me to begin this online experiment last summer.

Too many of my most valuable experiences in journalism were the mistakes I made with them; their patience was, and is, remarkable. They indirectly gave me the communication and journalism skills I needed to get this project moving the summer after their graduation, sooner than anyone had anticipated – especially me.

The Lifeguard Online is not a new concept. Journalism adviser Chris Savacool had toyed with the idea for years, but never had the time to see it through. We had experimented with a pre-packaged website system from the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE), but decided that it was simply too limited for The Lifeguard. Just after the end of the 2008-2009 school year, Mr. Savacool talked to me in private about the idea of a dedicated journalism website.

I laughed.

Less than four months later, with the help of freelance Web developer and high school junior Chris Voll, The Lifeguard Online was completed. History was made.

I often consider how much better the journalism experience might have been if I had been able to launch The Lifeguard Online earlier. How many more talented journalists would have enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to do the kinds of stories we publish today? How many Liverpool students were completely locked out of student journalism because their schedules did not support the elective?

Since 2008, I have done everything I can to open the journalism experience to all Liverpool students with a passion for writing, photography, video, art – nearly any talent applies. Along with PoolTube, the upcoming student media website, The Lifeguard Online is a publication that will come closer to the concept of the ‘forum of student expression’ than any printed edition of The Lifeguard.

Journalism students have always struggled to inform, entertain, and represent Liverpool. Now, everyone is welcome to join in and realize this goal, a vision that was once abstract and unrealistic.

All students are welcome to contribute to the website with photos, art, and even articles. We will link to existing student blogs, as long as they are school-appropriate, and we always welcome feedback in the form of comments and letters to the editor. Submitted work even has a chance to win awards at High School Press Day, an award program run by The Post-Standard and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

If you have even a slight interest in the field of journalism, this is your chance to learn about and experiment with the field. Even if you don’t, it’s a good chance to see your name published and display your talents.

With that, let’s continue making history.

This blog will be updated regularly with the status of the website and the opinions of its editor. The opinions of this blog do not necessarily represent the views of journalism staff, advisers, or Liverpool High School.