New equipment gives Roseville High broadcasting class its cue

ROSEVILLE — Roseville High School senior Kenny Steinhebel is interested in pursuing video editing in the future.

That’s why he enrolled in the school’s news and broadcasting class.

“I think this is a step in the right direction,” Steinhebel said.

Steinhebel is among a group of students gaining experience in the news and broadcasting class, which underwent a renovation over the summer. With funds from the district’s $58.9 million bond issue, which passed in 2018, the news and broadcasting production area was completely updated.

Two classrooms were transformed to create a state-of-the-art studio, which now features a large editing room with 18 editing stations, new cameras, microphones, lights and stabilizers. Also added was a professional lighting system and a TriCaster video production system. The TriCaster integrates live video switching, broadcast graphics, virtual sets, special effects, audio mixing, recording and more.

In class, the students work in groups to produce news videos that are broadcast throughout the school every Monday and Friday. The prerecorded broadcasts are approximately 10-15 minutes long and cover everything from interviews with staff and students to public service announcements, information on upcoming events, short films, sports updates and more.

On Dec. 8, the class was busy recording for its Dec. 11 broadcast. Steinhebel and senior Jack Garlinghouse served as anchormen while senior Dilynn Jackson operated the camera and teleprompter. Other students, alongside instructor Josh Kovach, worked in the editing room. But before they got started, Steinhebel and Garlinghouse did a practice run.

“Do we sound good?” Steinhebel asked. “We try to get everything in one take, but sometimes we have to go back.”

“Do we have to do this in one take?” Garlinghouse asked. “Let’s do this.”

“Live, five, four, three, two, one,” Jackson cued as the anchors reported the news. There were details about the upcoming book club meeting, drama club auditions, a chess club update, basketball news and a reminder that spirit week was about to get underway.

Because more than one take was needed, the broadcast will be spliced together during the editing process. Garlinghouse said much of the news they get comes straight from teachers, who share information about their classes or clubs. Sometimes the students do humorous segments such as “Tardy Police” and “What Junk’s in Your Trunk?” In addition, “Weather with Jack,” featuring Garlinghouse, is always popular with students.

Jackson said he loves the class.

“It’s fun because of the interaction with the other people,” Jackson said. “You do interviews, and making videos is always fun.”

The students rotate responsibilities each week so they get a feel for the different aspects of working in broadcast news. The jobs include on-air anchor, lighting technician, camera/teleprompter operator  and production assistant. The students also write their own scripts and work on their speaking skills.

“I can see their educational skills getting better and better. They keep asking questions on how to get better at editing,” said Kovach, who also teaches ninth-grade English. “I want them to walk away from this class with valuable knowledge they could possibly take into a career.”

To date, there is just one news and broadcasting class, offered once a day. Kovach said the course will be available again next school year with a second class called “intro to news and broadcasting.”

Senior Dalyce Griggs has enrolled in the news and broadcasting course for three years.

“I like the class. It’s really fun,” she said. “I like to edit and film videos. Anchoring is my favorite part.”

School officials are working to make news and broadcasting a career and technical education course. The district aligns its CTE programs with career-ready practices to help students accomplish their individual, educational and career goals.