Highlight the positive

To the Editor,

Con’grad’ulations! Cheers to the class of 2024! Great job, News Letter Journal, for publishing their pictures, interview questions and answers, and thank you so much to all the sponsors.

Posters downtown make me smile every year as I see the faces of the children we’ve watched grow up.

On another note, I have a suggestion/plea. While the paper has (or should have) a mission to report about events, it would be very helpful, especially to many vulnerable individuals (physically and mentally), but emphatically to all of us here in Newcastle and the great state of Wyoming, if the headlines were re-framed to make if not a positive at least a neutral, optimistic stance. The “angle” is always appropriate on the editorial page.

The main headline, however, lately much more notably than in past years, has gone from informing readers of the news to bringing judgement. Examples include beefs being aired about the hospital or local government.

It would be much more welcome, and appropriate as this publication is not “The Enquirer” to frame events in a way that is constructive. For instance “WY-TOPP Test Taken by Newcastle Elementary and Awaiting Scores!” Scores will be late emphasizes or at least implies failure on someone’s part, and we should all be reminded that you can catch more flies — and readers! — with honey rather than vinegar.

Let’s keep the remarkable achievements of citizens like Mr. Strickland in the headlines and top of mind, rather than bottom of page (so to speak) drowned out by community conflict. There is much to be celebrated here, and if we truly want to foster communication and a better functioning hospital and government, please be part of the solution. Focusing on the faults of others never improved performance over time as much as being consistently balanced.

Thanks,

— Lea Mendinghall