Ark Valley News - Equipment takes broadcast to new level

Equipment takes broadcast to new level
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: August 10, 2017

Look out, ESPN.

Valley Center High School Hornet Studio is poised to make (air)waves this year with the addition of new high-tech equipment and an influx in student participation in the program.

The school board Aug. 10 approved a bid of $40,621 from Southwest Audio Visual for the purchase of equipment that will allow students to operate a mobile production studio with up to eight cameras, producing graphics and titles and even picture-in-picture during broadcasts.

Last year, the program was limited to single camera angles. Still, live-streaming football games and other activities gained popularity among Hornet fans and students.

The video program had 11 students last year. The school was inundated with 71 requests for 2017-18. Administrators pared the number down to 40.

Ty Unrau, who leads the program with Gavin Couvelha, said with the number of students participating in the program, teachers can allow students to specialize in a variety of jobs, including operating cameras, producing graphics and directing.

Principal Jamie Lewis said the program is already impacting students. He said one student, who barely engaged with teachers or administrators, discovered a passion for the audio-visual program last year and has now been accepted into an internship with a Wichita TV station.

"To me, that's huge," Lewis said. "That wouldn't have happened without this. We do have some good equipment, but this equipment takes us even further."

It's unclear when the new production will begin as teachers wait on equipment and get it operational.