Early in her youth, Emma Weihe dreamt of becoming a journalist. Though her plans changed as she grew older, that childhood vision never truly went away. So when she was approached by Fairlawn-Bath Patch with the prospect of her own blog, she saw an opportunity to make her childhood dream a reality.

Now a senior at Revere High School, Weihe’s blog Keep Marching On is in its second year of publication. She spoke of her blog’s beginnings.

“My friend and I launched an unofficial Facebook fan page for the RHS football team, and we garnered a small following. One day in [the summer], someone posted an ad for a position on Patch. They were looking for someone to blog about Revere football. Since I’m in the marching band, and would be at every game that season, I contacted the [people from] the poster and accepted the spot… I realized it would be a great opportunity to improve my writing and help realize a childhood dream,” Weihe said.

Former Patch.com editor Megan Rozsa offered Weihe the position. She was searching for bloggers in her district, including Revere, when she came upon Weihe’s football Facebook page and offered her the position. Weihe explained the usual content of her blog.

“[I write about] football, theatre reviews and advertising, and marching band. [I also help with] raising [community] awareness of fundraisers and other events,” Weihe said.

Rozsa voiced her thoughts in regard to Weihe’s writing.

“I think Emma is a strong writer…I know she’s involved in several school activities and I am sure she is pressed for time. The posts she [wrote] were excellent,” Rozsa said.

Weihe is free to blog about a variety of topics besides Revere football. Rozsa spoke of the blogging process.

“There is no [real] process. Emma is free to blog as often or as little as she likes. I asked her if she would be willing to blog about the games, but she could have written about [for example] the school play if she wanted. There are no deadlines [either],” Rozsa said.

In addition to writing her blog, Weihe participates in several activities within RHS, including marching band and Revere Players. She described the effort involved in finding time for all of her various undertakings.

“Because the process is so simple, there is no pressure to have a post done on a certain day or time. I work at my own pace, which allows me to write and juggle my many activities,” Weihe said.

Though Keep Marching On is Weihe’s only blog to date, she has contributed to various newsletters. Her mother, Becky, spoke of her reaction to her daughter’s blog.

“Emma is interested in many things, so when she told me about the opportunity [she was given] to write a blog, I was not surprised. I think she sees it as a challenge and a way to improve her writing overall. It is a great opportunity for her, and I have been impressed with the pieces I have seen on Patch,” Becky said.

Weihe enjoys raising community awareness and “letting [her] voice be heard” through her blog. Rozsa voiced the benefits a blog can have on a high school student.

“I encourage any high school [student] to start a blog no matter what you’re interested in, because it’s a great starting point when you’re putting your resume together to show you have an interest in a certain career path,” Rozsa said.

Weihe hopes to pursue a career in musical therapy or special education. She describes blogging as “a very enjoyable pastime” and intends to continue it in the future.