SHS students create news through media class

By: 
Monika Spaulding, Digital Editor

Students at Salem High School are getting real life experience behind the camera thanks to the new interactive media class.

JD Wade-Swift, who teaches the class, is excited about the potential and the fact that everything they do is student-driven.

“It’s a career pathway class,” he said. “This is their business.”

The group is learning how to record newscasts and podcasts, as well as research, interview and write stories and produce a newscast.

Wade-Swift said the program will grow as they receive grants to fund additional equipment. They received their first grant from the Washington County Community Foundation, which is allowing them to use space at the Community Learning Center. The SHS student area is called “WCCF Studio.”

There are currently eight students in the class, with the potential to grow to 30 students.

Eventually, the students will be attending sporting events and other school activities to live stream and report.

“We want this to be about more than just Salem High School,” said Wade-Swift.

Each week, the group will find main stories to highlight and plan to talk about various subjects including bullying.

The Chromebooks that were distributed to all high school students this year has helped with allowing the students to work together, even when not in school.

“I really try to stay in the background and let them run the show,” said Wade-Swift. “It brings a lot of pride to the product and the students really like it.”

With the class being held at the CLC, he said they get a better feel for a professional atmosphere compared to being in the classroom. 

Wade-Swift taught a class at the middle school where he was able to introduce the green screen and filming process to students. Because he wrote the grants for most of the equipment, he was able to take it and use it with this new class. 

The group collaborates with Cubs News in hopes that those who enjoy the middle school news will want to continue on with it at the high school.

The class has an advisory council who oversees and gives advice. Members include Rick Van Hoose, Steve Tingle, Lisa Nice, Chris Mahuron, Judy Johnson and Josh Lewis.

The newscast is called “The Salem Show” and the podcast has been named “Lyon Lowdown.” Currently, the programs are available on Google Classroom and YouTube.

They post new items once a week and may eventually go to twice a week. Each newscast is approximately 20-30 minutes.

Ethan Bower said he really likes the class.

“I get my own editing room!” he laughed. “I like seeing what we can do creatively and how much we can fit in.”

Holden Kidd said he was surprised by the emotions and how people act on camera.

“I’m fine not on camera, but I am totally motionless when I’m on camera!” laughed Abigail Persinger, who automatically assumed Kidd was referring to her.

Although they are having fun, the class also has many challenges.

Clayton Kelley said anytime you work with technology, you never know what you’re going to face. 

Tyler Martin said he feels the most challenging part for him is coming up with podcast ideas.

Bower said he thinks the class, which is open to freshmen through seniors, is going to be a lot of fun. 

“This experience in invaluable and will look great on a resume one day!” said Wade-Swift.

Category:

Please Login for Premium Content

Site Login Help

For current subscribers to The Salem Leader and The Salem Democrat, you can login to the site using the following information:

Username: Please use your full email address associated with your account
Password: Please use your last name. Passwords are case sensitive, so please capitalize your last name (eg: Smith)