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Commentary: Coverage of CdM prom draft was ‘unnecessarily hyperbolic’

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I am appalled at what has been happening at Corona del Mar High School. No, not at the alleged prom draft. No, not about the “objectifying of women,” but at the way the media is choosing to cover this “scandal.”

I was not part of the prom draft, and although only a minute fraction of the student body was, our school is being negatively portrayed through false rumors. I am not endorsing the draft, nor am I saying that selecting prom dates in this way is prudent.

But what I am saying is this: gossiping about teenagers and labeling the entirety of Corona del Mar student body as “spoiled rich kids” is shameful, especially if you are an adult.

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Most newspaper articles I have read are unnecessarily hyperbolic and are littered with inaccuracies about the so-called “ranking of girls.” As a journalism student, it is crushing to see the media twisting the story to fit its preconceived notions of the way they wish to portray the “scandal.”

It is also incredibly disappointing to see negative exaggerations made up about the incident. I understand that a story is more appealing to readers when sensationalized, however, when reporting inaccurate information affects so many young peoples’ lives and a community’s general morale, is it really worth it?

The first article I read addressing the prom incident included a quote from a neighboring Estancia High School student. The fact that reporters think quotes from students at other schools are an accurate portrayal of CdM students’ views is ridiculous, and the idea that these “news” reporters do not take the time to check their facts is shocking.

Corona del Mar High School should not be fodder for gossip or a reality show for adults to read and watch. This is our life, and it should not be judged by others who do not have full insight. The negative filter that the media puts on this story is crafted to engage the public and is not accurate.

Did reporters even try to cover the story fairly? Who are their sources? Is it OK to grow up in a culture where news stories can be so skewed? It is unsettling to realize that every decision a news reporter makes is tainted with a level of bias.

I want to live in a time where positive things are reported. I did not see one reporter, camera, or news van when Corona del Mar High School received a high ranking by US News & World Report a few weeks ago. I did not see one reporter, camera, or news van when our school raised thousands of dollars for autism, or held seminars for alcohol, depression and drug awareness.

Not one camera crew covered the story of standout students volunteering for over 500 community service hours, or even when our school donated over 300 toys to the local hospital. The fact that a high school prom selection method has gotten more face time, both locally and nationally, than reports of the car crash fatalities of students at a local high school, Nigerian kidnappings, and all the other significant atrocities is abhorrent.

So while parents and reporters are talking about the “self-entitled” students at the local high school, I urge you to realize that these people that adolescents are supposed to look up to are the ones spending their time gossiping and spreading false rumors about a group of 17-year-old kids. Who are the immature ones now?

KRISTA SCHILDWACHTER, 17, attends Corona del Mar High School, where she is studying journalism.

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