The Flame is Burning Up

Sabrina Smokler ‘23
    
It has just been announced that the Flame, the widely respected Golda Och Academy newspaper, has won the Pulitzer Prize, the highest award in journalism. 
“That’s great, does it mean we have a no-homework day?” an anonymous student asked.
    To commemorate this honor, GOA blasted “Rise Up” over the loudspeakers, and then Head of School Mr. Shapiro held a school-wide assembly in which he praised the staff of the Flame. 

“You have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to journalism and, maybe even better, you know the difference between your and you’re!” he noted with pride. 
Afterward, the Flame’s staff feasted on leftover Mishloach Manot baskets. 
“Maybe we need to say Shehecheyanu,” one student wondered. “How do you spell that, anyway?”
To mark this monumental occasion, Mr. Shapiro announced that the Flame will be permanently changing its name to the Bonfire, to better fit the growing legacy of the newspaper. 
“Mazel tov to all the students!” he said. “I will send out an extremely long email tomorrow!”
    Starting from the bottom as a small school newspaper, the Flame has gained attention for its outstanding articles on everything from politics to sports. The staff consists of student journalists held in high esteem by their peers, although their salaries are nothing to speak of. 
Visits to the website of the Bonfire hit millions just last week, bringing day school journalism to worldwide attention. The Bonfire’s Instagram account gained thousands of new followers, including major newspaper accounts such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
“It’s clear now: Golda Och Academy truly is the best,” a journalist for the New York Times commented on a recent Bonfire post. According to rumor, the journalist seeks to join the staff of The Bonfire to advance her career.
In the midst of the celebration, however, there has been some backlash. The Pulitzer award has caused some controversy among the students of the Lower School. They were a bit offended to find that their newspaper, the Spark did not win an award after they conducted 654 interviews asking students what their favorite colors are and writing up a series of investigative articles that touched on important topics such as why dark blue is better than light blue. A petition has been started to change the Spark’s name to the Volcano. 
“The Bonfire would be nothing without the Spark,” fifth-grade editors wrote in a statement, adding their support for the middle school newspaper. “And don’t forget the Ochsygen. The Bonfire is scorching much of GOA’s talent for reporting.”
    Appreciating the support and working to take the Bonfire to even bigger, better places, the Bonfire will continue to make history. 
    “The GOA community couldn’t be more proud,” Mr. Shapiro said. “They really do keep the fire burning.”