South’s students will launch their first production of “SD-TV” after Spring Break, as a part of the Visual Arts program headed by Digital Arts teacher, Eric Foga. Principal Jim Jameson and South’s IT coordinator Chris Lindroth collaborated with Foga to create this new program that provides an avenue for students to regularly collect, write, edit, produce and air a news segment for the SD Cougar student body. Foga said, “The reason for the creation of the program is for provide better communication among the students/public and for students to experience a simulated work environment.”
The concept was conceived late January and by the beginning of February, according to Tyler Cole, a senior actively involved in the project, the principal’s building fund purchased the necessary equipment. The students, with the help of the custodial staff, have mounted a green screen, set up three new lighting ‘umbrellas’, and tested the new podcasting equipment in an effort to prepare for their first show at the end of March.
Some of the students in Foga’s 5th and 7th hour are spear-heading the pilot program. Seniors Tyler Cole and Austin Clark have assumed roles as the ‘news crew’, while Ian Frensemeier is editor/chief for a segment the students are calling, “Just the Chip”. Ryken Winchester and Tyler Hibberd are co-editors for “Just the Chip”, and Eli Lucas is Art Director / Design Editor for the entire project. Zach Luttel, also a senior, will be SD-TV’s first sportscaster, while Eli Lucas, Shawn Wright, Roger Hampton, Kelby Shook, Ian Frensemeier and Sydney Lucas are focusing on getting the pictures and videos for the various productions. Macey Miller, a freshman, has the challenge of being the “on-the-scene” photographer.
For the rest of 2019-20 school year, students involved with this project plan to record during 5th and 7th period each day and then, according to Foga, the shows will air weekly during the last 9-weeks. If all goes well this year, the experience will become a class option for the 2020-21 school year.
Decatur County Community Schools 