On June 25, 2025 Alton High School was one of the twenty-six schools to be given a grant for the journalism program. The Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Press Foundation awarded the department 1,440 dollars to fund essential equipment. The purchase of new iPads to help students in the program learn on-the-go reporting skills.
Former publisher of The Telegraph, Jim Shrader, met with the Journalism staff to present the grant check on Sept. 15, 2025. Journalism adviser April Gray submitted the grant proposal in May 2025.
“Since cell phones were banned at our school this year, journalism students needed an alternative way of producing content that they’d previously used their phones for,” Gray said. “The ipads give them this opportunity and also help them learn vital digital publishing skills that are critical to the future of journalism.”
The Illinois Farm Bureau has financially sponsored the Illinois High School Journalism Grants Program that these grants are offered through. Over $35,000 was awarded to the schools combined. Many other schools were given money for equipment such as cameras, microphones subscriptions and a variety of other tools.
“The Illinois Farm Bureau’s commitment, along with an increased financial commitment this year from the Illinois Press Foundation, has allowed us to award more grants this year than any year of our partnership,” Executive Director of Illinois Press Foundation and Capitol News Illinois, Jeff Rogers said.
With the funds given to The Redbird Word staff, iPads and protective cases were bought. With the iPads, the staff is able to access social media platforms to post content while still being in school. Holmes said she has been able to make content easier due to the easier access.
“I think the program is going to do very well for schools that have low funding,” junior Social Media Manager for The Redbird Word Raye Holmes said. “Every school deserves to have a journalism program and it’s so awesome that we got to be involved.”
The new devices are set to remain part of the program’s daily use and will be used for reporting, photography and coverage throughout the school year.
“Meaningful development through education and programming is central to Illinois Farm Bureau,” said Matt Wettersten, executive director of marketing and communications at Illinois Farm Bureau. “It’s incredibly rewarding to help these students grow their journalism skills at the high school level.”
