MiddletownJournal.com

Miami University journalism students, who spent a semester studying education and the economy in the Middletown community, have published their project online.

The project is available at jrn421thelearningcurve.com and features videos, stories, a radio broadcast and an audio and picture slide show focusing on "how education and the economy are reshaping the heartland."

Students said after visiting a school board meeting, football game and interviewing school and community leaders, they came to the conclusion on education and the economy which is best summed up in one quote: neither is strong while the other is weak.

They presented their findings to community members on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Miami's downtown Middletown location.

"I was really impressed," said Kay Wright, former director of the Middletown Community Foundation, who was interviewed for the project.

Wright commended the students on looking at opportunities for the city, which the project highlights is losing many of the industrial jobs that made it so successful years back.

Wright said community members visiting the site should take notice of "the fact that there are a lot of opportunities there, things to build on."

The Web site features a place for a community forum, where Wright said she hopes community members will discuss possibilities for building a better future.

"We really need people to start thinking like that," she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mengle@coxohio.com.