The students in my class were more impressive and creative than I could have dreamed. We worked on pitches including a look at the positives of skateboarding; a first-person account about parenting a learning disabled child through the first year of college and a pragmatic, valuable guide to navigating the United States healthcare system as an unmarried adult. Other ideas included a profile of day-to-day life at a no-kill animal shelter and a very helpful guide to safeguarding the modern day “shoebox” of images and documents we all now possess, but which only exist digitally.

Each of my students left the course with a polished pitch letter template they will be able to use to sell their ideas. They also have a preliminary list of publications they intend to target. I wish all of them well with their endeavors, but I also privately hope some of those ideas will find their way to my inbox. (Baldwineditor@liherald.com, in case you’re curious.)

The next session of How to Be a Freelance Journalist will run from 7 to 8 p.m. on four consecutive Wednesdays starting on Sept. 11. Whether you’re an aspiring writer looking to build clips, or a BHS student hoping to improve your resume for college (or anyone in between), you’re welcome in my class. The more people there are walking around Baldwin who have the confidence to contribute to the Herald, the better it is for all of us. See you in class.

For registration information see baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228.