TRAVERSE CITY — Students at Traverse City East Middle School are developing broadcasting and journalism skills through the school’s digital media and communications program. The class produces “Trojan TV,” a daily morning announcement show and a larger news-style program that airs every other Friday.
The program utilizes a modern studio to provide hands-on experience for middle schoolers exploring potential careers in media and technology. Jody Mackey, the TV program teacher, said the hands-on nature of the class is a significant draw for students who are also choosing between other electives like robotics, art and music. “I do think us having the new studio, having some of these really hands on things, I think is a big draw for kids,” Mackey said. “And I think this is a program that allows almost any student to find something that can be a success for them.”
The program operates under the digital media and communications class, which acts as an umbrella for media activities at the school. Mackey, the TV program teacher, said the curriculum has evolved over several years to meet the needs of the student body. The daily “Trojan TV” program focuses on delivering essential information to students, while the bi-weekly news show allows for deeper storytelling. “And that’s where we’re asking our student journalists to produce, hard news features, student profiles, sometimes skits and fun things,” Mackey said. “But we’re primarily journalism based.”
Students in the program handle both technical and editorial responsibilities. Calvin Wilson, a student who serves as a producer, manages the scripts and technical setup for the daily broadcasts. “Most of the time I come in for morning announcements. Even when they don’t need me. I usually stand in the back and I always set up the scripts, turn on the live streams if people are late,” Wilson said. He also meets with Mackey to determine which stories will be featured in the bi-weekly news broadcast.
The curriculum includes assignments that take students out of the classroom to cover local events. Titus Reed, a student in the program, said the class allows participants to explore various interests, from operating technology to appearing on camera. Reed noted that the students recently took a field trip to the local fire department to produce a story. “It’s important to learn because, it helps us other be storytelling, journalism, just knowing,” Reed said. “Basically, it can lead to a lot of other stuff in your life and it’s good to know.”
Auvi Francetic, another student in the class, said the daily requirements of the program have taught her the importance of preparation. She said the experience has made her more comfortable with unfamiliar tasks. “I really think that this experience in middle school has just, like, prepared me for so many things, not just anchoring in the future,” Francetic said. “It’s like prepare me on time projects that I can be on in the future.” She added that she values the memories made while building something with her peers.
Mackey said her primary goal is to provide a foundation in journalism for students before they move on to high school. She emphasizes the importance of accuracy and perspective in every project. “So I have figured that my role now is to instill a love of this career,” Mackey said. “Instill the passion of telling news, knowing the basic fundamentals, right? Truth, ethics, honesty, getting both sides, those kinds of things and then hope that as they move forward that has developed.”