Benson Polytechnic High School Revives Student Newspaper After 16-Year Hiatus

The Benson Orbit aims to give students a voice and cover key issues facing the school community.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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After a 16-year absence, Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon has revived its student newspaper, The Benson Orbit. The paper was previously shuttered in 2010 due to budget cuts, but a journalism club formed in 2024 has now grown into a full-fledged student publication covering a range of topics from school events to the district's budget challenges.

Why it matters

The return of The Benson Orbit gives students a platform to express themselves, share their perspectives, and report on important issues impacting their school community. This is especially crucial as Benson faces potential budget cuts that could affect programs and resources. The student-run paper aims to give a voice to the student body and hold the administration accountable.

The details

The Benson Orbit was originally a 90-year-old student newspaper called Tech Prep, which shut down in 2010 due to budget cuts in the Portland Public Schools district. In 2024-25, two journalism advisors started a journalism club at Benson, which has since grown from just 5-6 students to nearly 20 staffers. This allowed the school to offer journalism as a class for the 2025-26 academic year. The student editors say the paper covers a range of topics, from school events and club features to teacher profiles and opinion pieces on issues like the district's 'off and away' cellphone policy.

  • The original student newspaper, Tech Prep, shut down in May 2010.
  • A journalism club was formed at Benson in the 2024-25 school year.
  • The Benson Orbit was launched as the school's new student newspaper in the 2025-26 academic year.

The players

Zahra Faruqui

A student editor of The Benson Orbit.

Zayd Faruqui

Another student editor of The Benson Orbit.

Nick Oates

A student editor of The Benson Orbit.

Greg Huntington

A journalism advisor who helped revive the student newspaper at Benson Polytechnic High School.

Benson Polytechnic High School

A high school in Portland, Oregon that has revived its student newspaper after a 16-year hiatus.

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What they’re saying

“I really like writing and reporting on what's happening around the school, and I was really interested in bringing that into the journalism program.”

— Zayd Faruqui, Student Editor (wweek.com)

“Having student voices have their own platform in our community lets them stand on their own. If the administration does something we disagree with, we can write an opinion story about it. But we can also celebrate our community and have student perspectives on those celebrations. It's really important to have student journalism run by and for students.”

— Nick Oates, Student Editor (wweek.com)

“Writing is the gold standard of thinking. It's hard, it's about engaging an audience. It does all the things that we want young people to do. These kids have just stepped up to this challenge in the bravest way possible.”

— Greg Huntington, Journalism Advisor (wweek.com)

What’s next

The Benson Orbit plans to publish another print issue during Benson's upcoming Tech Show, where students will showcase their technical skills. The school also plans to add another journalism course in the upcoming academic year to further expand the student newspaper's staff and coverage.

The takeaway

The revival of The Benson Orbit student newspaper at Benson Polytechnic High School after a 16-year hiatus represents an important victory for student voice and journalism in the school community. The paper's student-led approach to covering both critical issues and positive school events demonstrates the value of empowering young people to tell their own stories and hold their institutions accountable.