"We thought

this to be really amazing. You would think that most of the students would

want an anchor position," says GuyNel Johnson, a teacher of the gifted

as well as one of the coordinators of the CTV broadcast.

While the anchors

might be the most visible people of the broadcast, the show could not

air without the help of cameramen, sound technicians and special effects

personnel. Before applicants auditioned for tech positions, Johnson conducted

a mini-workshop in the CTV studio where she showed them how to operate

the cameras and equipment. As she auditioned the tech applicants for tech

positions, Johnson took note of not only how efficiently they could operate

the equipment, but also how well they could listen and follow instructions.

Media specialist

Judy Pearson was in charge of auditioning the anchors. Students wrote

their own scripts and read them in front of a video camera. Both Pearson

and Johnson reviewed the tapes to judge how the students looked on camera

as well as how much effort they had put into their presentations.

For the final

phase of judging, students were required to get recommendations from their

teachers. Pearson and Johnson used those recommendations, along with the

results of the audition, to rate each applicant and select the next CTV

crew.

A total of

36 students recently got a huge surprise when they found out they had

made the cut. The announcement was made during one of the morning broadcasts

at the school. Those selected were invited to come to the media center

to celebrate where they were surprised by the cheers of their parents.

"We had

secretly notified the parents ahead of time so that they could be present

at the school to congratulate their children when the announcement was

made," Johnson says.

The outgoing

anchors and tech crew formed a bridge with their hands for each new member

to pass through as a welcome gesture for those who will take their places

next year. Also, the fifth graders hosted a reception for the newly selected

team members.

"One year

the fifth grade students did a bridge for the fourth graders as they walked

into the media center and since it has become tradition. It is just the

coolest thing," Johnson said.

Johnson said

being a part of the CTV team helps students build both reading and critical

thinking skills. "We stress reading to our students daily, but I

don't know if it hits home about what all they can do with the skill.

good reading skills.

"The tech

students learn critical thinking skills and how to think on their feet,"

she added. "If a camera goes down in the middle of a broadcast, then

they have to make a quick decision as to how to work around the problem.

I see this as being an enriching experience for all involved."

The 36 students

will be broken into three teams with six members each: three anchors and

three tech crew members. The new crew will work with the outgoing staff

for the rest of the year so that they will be prepared to take over the

2001 CTV broadcast at the beginning of the school year.

The 2001-2002

CTV anchors are Paula Toth, Dustin Osborne, Emily Cameron, Marissa Collier,

George Czick, Martha Kim, Haley Williams, Eric Roche, Alicia Carithers,

Maggie Graham, Victoria Murray, Jessica Sullivan, Adam Bowen, Caitlin

Kyle, Michael Keel, Annabeth Horner and Mary Mannion. The tech crew members

are Michael Jeanes, Alex Waslis, Amy Powell, Jake Fisher, Joanna Lin,

Cody Hendrickson, Abasi Burrourghs, Kenny Crawford, Kristian King, James

Moyer, Alex Green, Matthew Rogers, Jeffery Teuble, Christopher Crittenden,

Zachery Carden, Catie Pietrofere, David Gridley and Greg Brooker.

Back

to News Home Page |