Recognized Teacher Says “Not Me”
To the editor:
When Christi Opiela was recognized as one of Fayette County’s most influential women by the League of Women Voters South Central Texas, she stepped up to the microphone and humbly replied, “I don’t belong here. I am just a teacher.”
Among a doctor, a scientist, a university professor and others who were honored on March 7 at Casino Hall in La-Grange, Christi Opiela is at the top of the women’s list of accomplishments. Why? In today’s world of media degradation, she is a journalism teacher at Halletsville High School.
She teaches skills to future journalists—keeping citizens informed about their communities, holding leaders accountable, fostering civic engagement. She wants her students to know that qualified journalists are essential to our communities, just as nurses, firefighters, and doctors.
Mrs. Opiela is determined that the next generation of journalists in her classroom know and understand that the voice of truth and honesty in the press must exist for democracy to stay alive in America. The Founding Fathers understood this. They made freedom of the press one of the four pillars of the United States Constitution.
At the awards ceremony, student editor Olivia Weiser presented her teacher with the following introduction: “When she joined the faculty at Hallettsville High School eight years ago, Mrs. Opiela dedicated herself to building and shaping a thriving journalism program from the ground up. She faced significant challenges, starting with an empty classroom and limited resources. With an almost non-existent budget, she poured countless hours into planning, teaching, and creative problem-solving. Many might have given up, but Mrs. Opiela’s determination never wavered. She transformed that vacant space into a fully functional studio, broadcast room and podcast room, pushing through every obstacle to provide exceptional journalism education for her students.
“Today her hard work has resulted in multiple journalism classes, a biweekly community broadcast, podcasts, daily broadcast announcements, an online newspaper and print newspaper, and a marketing class. The Hallettsville Brahma News Network is a student run news site for the high school and the community. For the last two years HBNN has been ranked as a First-Class broadcast by the National Scholastic Press Association.
“Mrs. Opiela’s efforts have ignited passions for writing, photography, film making, broadcasting, podcasting, and more among her students. Under her guidance, yearbook, broadcast, and newspaper students have had the opportunity to compete at state and national levels, crafting stories that have reached thousands and giving young journalists a platform within the community.
“Teachers and administrators alike recognize the positive impact of the journalism program, which has flourished under Mrs. Opiela’s leadership. Driven by her passion for journalism and a steadfast belief in her students’ potential, she has inspired countless students, fostering their growth into responsible, engaged citizens. The community has shown tremendous support, culminating in a day of recognition for the HBNN Broadcasting group during Scholastic Journalism Week, including a proclamation signing at the local courthouse.
“Through her unwavering determination and leadership, Mrs. Opiela not only established an historic program but also fostered a community that encourages students to aspire to be future leaders. Her programs give students the tools and the confidence to use their voices within their community, state, and nation, paving the way for a brighter future for all.”
(The League Women Voters is a nonpartisan, volunteerled organization inspired by a vision of democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. As a chapter of one of the oldest and most respected grass roots organizations in the United States, the South Central League works toward this vision across Colorado, Fayette, DeWitt, Gonzales, and LaVaca counties—strengthening our community traditions of voting, encouraging civic participation in all its forms, celebrating the contributions that women have made and continue to make in our communities, and promoting the vital role of local news in a healthy democracy. As a nonpartisan organization, the League never supports or opposes candidates or political parties at any level of government.)