Written by Izzy Philips
In the BRN newsroom there is one person who can do it all. From commentating, to writing articles, to sending out links, to making his classmates laugh, Eli McGuffy does his best daily to make sure the class flows smoothly and successfully.
McGuffy's main role in the classroom is publishing information about previous events on social media. He says “I am chief information officer which means I tweet out information about sporting and competitive events” Alongside this job Eli also writes weekly articles, He is the SID for bass fishing meaning he writes about their successes. “My contribution has been getting stuff out on twitter, writing articles, and commentating on the stream.” he states.
Being a veteran on the staff, Eli recognizes how much growth he has had since he started writing. “I have taken more responsibility for knowing how to get my articles done without being told to do so. I have been able to work more initiative” Eli says. With McGuffy's work ethic and care for sports his articles never disappoint. He tells us he has also learned to take more initiative, work on his soft skills, and realize that everyone's brain works differently.
BRN has gifted Eli so many great opportunities and memories. “I enjoyed commentating alongside McClain during the basketball season. I also enjoyed being able to work with the guys to get the equipment in the press boxes.” McGuffy likes to know and understand all his peers. So many individuals in the newsroom have impacted Eli’s experience in the newsroom. He says “McClain Denny is a person I look up to, he has been an exceptional person to learn from commentating. Katherine Lemonds has been a great leader all year. And lastly Harper Webb has been a good partner to work with getting information out on Twitter.” Without those people
Eli cannot wait for the next year to come. Though he will be a senior, he is excited to continue working with this family
Written by Alan Wireman
Harper Webb is someone who excels in multiple areas of life. He is a dual sport athlete, playing both basketball and golf here at Boyle County. This love for sports seems to have played a big part in Harper joining BRNNews. Harper said “I became a member of the BRNNews team because it was a new opportunity, and it was something that I have a lot of interest in.”
In the class, he’d have to show knowledge of more sports than just the ones he plays, as he was one of the baseball SID’s. On the basketball court, Harper was the varsity’s starting point guard as a sophomore. Known for his 3 point shooting and playmaking abilities, he was a healthy contributor for the Rebels. On the golf course, he has been one of Boyle County’s finest for the past couple of seasons. In the classroom, Harper brought a good attitude and integrity to BRNNews every day. He explains his contribution to the class, saying “I say that I helped with getting things set up. Then I would say I was a big help on cameras and videos, too. I then helped with the commentating when needed.”
Harper seems to always show up to class with a smile on his face, ready to help out in the newsroom. He credits some of this to the people around him. He says, “It's a very fun environment lots of laughter and time to be around friends and have a chance to grow relationships with others.”
Looking back on his time spent in BRNNews this year, Harper learned some valuable lessons. He points out initiative as a valuable thing to take away from this class, knowing that it is important to get work done and be a leader even when it's hard. Harper also mentions that it’s important to remember no two people are exactly alike, saying “everyone’s brain works differently.” His last important lesson was the usage of soft skills in the classroom. These are important in any group setting and a good lesson to learn while in the classroom.
Harper believes he has progressed a lot in writing engaging articles. He says “I have gotten better on how to get the people reading or watching and listening more engaged and making them want to stay and see what they want to see.
Two veterans of the class Harper learned a lot from are McClain Denny and Katherine Lemonds. He also gives a shout out to Eli McGuffey for adding some character to the classroom. Looking towards the future, Harper points out the 3rd camera as something that could up the creativity and excitement of BCSN, although acknowledges the hard work that would go into the editing. A point guard has to be someone who works hard, shows leadership, and always communicates. For BRNNews, Harper Webb has been just that.
Written by Harper Webb
From the golf course to behind the scenes of producing BCSN, Freshman Addison Carr is one of BRNNews spotlight teammates. Addison had the chance to take BRNNews for the 24-25 school year all-year round. After being asked why she became a member of the BRNNews team, Addison states," I was interested in the middle school news group, and I knew that coming into high school, there was a bigger opportunity for me. Knowing that I had great communication skills and had a love for sports, I knew that this would be a perfect opportunity for me".
Addison sure doesn't fall short of not knowing her sports form being on the golf team at the school, to growing up playing other sports, and watching her older brothers play many sports in high school, she has plenty of sports knowledge. And be on the lookout for her on the golf course. Addison is one of the best players on the school team and is a very talented golfer.
Over the football and basketball seasons, Addison was the halftime and post game interviewer, which was the perfect job for her talkative personality, and that's a good thing. When asked what she enjoyed the most about BCSN, she said, “I most enjoyed my job at every game. I did the halftime and post-game interviews for every football game and most of the basketball games". Interviewing coaches on the spot may be one of the most difficult and nerve-wracking things, but not for Addison!
Addison is one of the team's hardest and dedicated workers from putting in time at home with articles and gippers, but also taking time out of her nights and days to produce games. Addison's main job in the classroom was to help make sure articles are up to date and help Coach Fei with the class aspect of BRNNews. Addison also says, "I think this year was a great learning year because without Katherine next year, I hope to be able to take her role in the classroom, so I watch her closely and try to learn from what she is doing". Addison is always willing and ready to help with whatever she needs to do for the BRNnews team to be at its best.
BRNNews is more than just a podcast and a sports website; it's a place to become a better person and work on your worldly skills with others. Addison states, “The most important things I have learned are to have good workplace skills and soft skills. I am not much of a morning person, but learning how to communicate with my peers and work with them is something that I love". Addison is definitely someone you've got to watch out for in the morning. If you do something wrong in front of her, it's bad news from there. Living with two older brothers definitely taught her how to stand up for herself. Jokes aside, Addison is a major part of this team. She is always looking to lift people up and help when needed. She shouts out to senior McClain and Katherine, saying, "McClain has made class so fun and made me laugh every day. He has been working for the newsroom for four years, and I look up to him for it. Also, Katherine is a big leader in our class. Without her, we wouldn't have the great order we have in class".
Addison has big shoes to fill with them leaving, but there's no better person to take over their roles than her.
Written by Sarah Kate Taylor
Family can lead you into many great things. For one freshman, Caroline LeMonds, this is true. “I became a member of BCSN because of how involved my sister Katherine was. I saw how much she helped the community and I wanted to be a part of it,too.” LeMonds has been with BCSN for one year now. Her role in the class as Website Manager makes sure everybody's work inside the classroom is being seen, also making sure the viewers at home can watch their family and friends do what they love doing, or just tuning in to see what is happening with Boyle County Sports.
This class is centered around learning about BCSN, whether it's how to work a camera or how to write articles. But when LeMonds was asked about what she has learned she says, “I have learned integrity which is doing the right thing when nobody's watching. I learned initiative which is doing the right thing without anyone telling you to. I learned to be patient with my peers and respect their time.”
LeMonds is also an athlete; she plays basketball as well as softball, while being involved with this program balancing her school life with her sports life. LeMonds strives to make people feel good about themselves, always making sure to give credit where credit is needed. She says, “My sister Katherine is such a great role model to me. She is the definition of integrity. Journi is such a hard worker and has a positive attitude. Bryce always takes initiative in broadcasting, setting up equipment, and tweeting.” says LeMonds.
When you start something new it can lead you into lots of different experiences that can give you memories to last a lifetime, but it can also teach you to improve on your skills. LeMonds says, “I feel like I have improved a bunch in both my communication skills and my writing skills. At first it was a little shaky but the more experience I got the better my writing skills got”. So as this year is coming to a close and LeMonds takes her next step, we can’t wait to see what she will do next.
Written by Emery Stone
Katherine Lemonds was born to be a leader. I have known her since elementary school, and I have enjoyed being in many classes with her over the years. However, I have seen her truly thrive in the BCSN classroom. She states, “I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. I loved the atmosphere and the people. I love feeling like I am doing good for the community.” Every single morning, no matter the circumstance, she is always ready to jump in and lead the class. Her drive for efficiency and order in the classroom is crucial to our functionality as a whole. And on the days that we’re especially tired, she never fails to get us energized and ready to put in the work. Her work ethic is remarkable. She is one of the most dedicated people I have ever seen. Being a leader and helping others do the same is truly her calling.
Not only does Katherine have a strong work ethic, but she also has great organizational skills. She is efficient in everything she does, and she has found ways to use those skills to help others, too. Katherine says, “I came into BCSN not knowing much about the equipment. There were too many wires and too many devices going in all different directions. It was hard adapting to the environment, but I managed to find a way around it. I even found a way to make the equipment easier to use by color-coding and organizing the cords to make the setup better.” Katherine’s creative drive and genuine passion for the class certainly do not go unnoticed. She never fails to find ways to help others.
Katherine also juggles extracurricular activities on top of the work that she does in BCSN. She plays softball and is involved in NHS, as well as a class officer. Katherine truly thrives on helping others and serving her community. It is so admirable the effort she puts into BCSN, considering she has all of the extracurriculars she does. This truly proves Katherine’s character. She is truly dedicated to everything that she does.
Lastly, Katherine never fails to make sure that BCSN feels like a family. It can be stressful at times, but she always rallies the group together and makes everyone feel included and excited about the work that they do in BCSN. She is very patient with everyone and very understanding. I’ve never seen her once get mad or raise her voice. She is always level-headed, even with the weight of her “job” in the classroom. She truly handles the role with such grace and humility. You never hear her brag about the work that she does, though she certainly has the merit to do so. It is also so easy to see her passion for this class flow into every aspect of it. Katherine has so many amazing qualities that make her so enjoyable to be in a class with. Her light shines very, very bright. BCSN would certainly not be the same without Katherine’s leadership and guidance.
Written by Journi Sivis
Many multi-sport athletes thrive to excel in competition, as well as academics. Senior Maximus Kilby does much more than the average student athlete. While battling on the soccer field, racing on the track, pursuing an academic career, and filming broadcasts weekly, Kilby finds a way to fit in everything important to him.
Having the opportunity to be on the BRNNews staff has impacted him greatly. When asked how and why he became a staff member, Kilby said, “I was persuaded by Jack Little, a former BRNNews staffer. I continue to serve because it's now a responsibility to my future and life in high school.”
From writing, filming, and making gippers, Kilby ensures he does it to his very best ability. He says, “My writing confidence has grown significantly because of the amount of time researching and writing consecutively for people and sporting events. My BCSN journey has progressed very slowly but in the end it went by quickly.” In the newsroom, Kilby's job plays an important role for everyone. Being a Marketing Manager and Picture Wall Manager, he guarantees that sports participants will gain the recognition they deserve. Strength, determination, and positivity are the reasons Kilby is where he is today.
BRNNews and BCSN bring many important lessons to the table. Kilby shares the important morals he has learned through his journey with the class, “It allowed me to become more patient and I learned how to properly work with people in a fun environment. BRNNews has opened my eyes to the world ahead of me, preparing me for the life decisions that I will make with others.” Throughout precisely writing articles to putting graphics out on the TV’s, Kilby serves the room with patience and optimism.
In the newsroom, being a family is a very important thing to everyone. The use of communication and soft skills are necessary to accomplish all that we do. When asked what he enjoyed about the newsroom, Kilby said, “How close everyone feels to family and home. When broadcasting, it felt as if we were an actual sporting network, everything made it easy and fun to go broadcast one of our sports teams.” He gives participation everywhere and anywhere he can, whether in or outside the classroom.
Kilby has made many contributions to the newsroom. One big one that I personally think is very important is the picture wall. Many students come in and see their pictures and articles that have been written about them, which definitely makes them feel special. He shares, “I spent a semester as a Marketing Manager and then became the Picture Wall Manager/News Broadcaster. With all of the news and pictures I've put up throughout this year or so, it feels like I haven't done anything except be a part of BRNNews and BCSN.”
Leadership is a vital and much needed role for everyone in BRNNews. Even with tasks as simple as communicating with each other. Although everyone is a leader, the people who most impacted him in class are McClain Denny, Katherine LeMonds, and Alan Wireman. He says, “McClain has always been a great friend, teammate, and just a loving person. He is funny and exciting to work with. Katherine always has been a mom of the bunch, how she makes sure everyone is in check and serves with a servant heart. Alan is funny, kind, and hardworking. I couldn't ask for a better friend and brother to work with in the classroom.”
Many thoughts could be shared about progression with BRNNews and BCSN. Kilby's opinion on it is, “BCSN could undergo a huge change in school and bring in more people to work with from the public. If BCSN could find a way to be a part of LEX18 News and branch out to other schools, we could start a huge movement and move away from our roots and grow into something bigger.” As sad as it is to see all of the seniors leave, I'm excited to see what he can accomplish while running track at a collegiate level. All of us from BRNNews wish him good luck at Lindsey Wilson and beyond!
Written by Andrew Messer
Even though Emery Stone has been in the BRNNews team for one semester, she has had such a big impact on the class and has done so many things to help others with whatever they need. Emery says “I had seen a few friends take the class last year, and it looked cool. I decided because it’s my senior year, why not give It a shot! Also because of my growing interest in sports and sports media. I thought it would be fun to branch out and pursue new interests and it certainly paid off. Though I originally wanted to major in Sports Media and have since changed my mind, I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the BCSN family.”
Emery came into this class very shy and timid, but throughout these past 18 weeks, she has really made a name for herself through her actions and words to other people. Emery states “I am very proud of myself because I think I have really grown a lot through BCSN. Because I am a naturally shy person, being constantly involved with talking and reaching out to various people has totally pushed me out of my comfort zone, but that’s one of the greatest gifts BCSN could have given me. I am much more confident in my abilities to be involved in things I might have otherwise been too nervous to do.”
Emery has been such a big help to the broadcasting team as she is one of our main camera people. She also is a big help when it comes to setting up the broadcasts because she will help with whatever she needs to do. Emery explains “I really enjoyed going to the games and covering them. It’s such a cool experience to be right in the middle of all of the action, as well as bringing that action to other people who might otherwise not be able to be there. I really loved doing the camera work, it’s so fun and such a rewarding experience. Also, I love the community and genuine family dynamic we have as a group. You really get to know each other and make new friends.”
Emery has one of the most important roles in the class as a co-editor. Her job is to help the main editor look over articles and make sure they are ready to go on our website. ”I have served as co-editor of articles as well as the sort of manager of the writings/editing. My original task, because I’m technically taking the class as an independent study, was to sort of be like the main editor of articles/help with writings in general.”
Emery has been such a big inspiration in the class, she's always big on trying new things and she has certainly shown that in the class. Here are some of the lessons that Emery has learned from the class, “Always try something new. You never know what surprise is waiting for you around the corner. Take the risk or lose the chance. Give yourself grace, especially when you’re learning something new. Appreciate every moment. I feel like this semester has literally flown by. This class has been a highlight of my year, and I’m so glad it worked out.”
Emery has also had a lot of inspiration from other students in this class. “A huge shoutout to Journi for always being so flexible and understanding. She’s the best co-editor a girl could ask for! Another shoutout to Katherine! Without her, there would be no order in the mornings! Lastly, shoutout to Coach Fei. Because she saw potential in me, I have become a better person since January. Her passion and genuine devotion to BCSN is unmatched, as well as her positivity.”
Emery has had many great ideas to help the class improve in every way possible. “Two ideas that I would have would be really advertising the class and maybe starting a youtube channel of vlogs to entice people to watch!” Emery has done so much for this class and has helped so many people with problems that they have had. I know that we will all miss Emery and all of the wonderful things she has done.
Written by Eli McGuffey
McClain Denny has been exceptional for the BRN newsroom/classroom. In his many years working for this program, McClain worked and perfected his craft of talking to people and on the microphone. As he states, “I used to hate speaking in front of others and leading a group, but each year, I became more confident in my ability to speak and lead. Unfortunately, my writing has not seen the same improvement.”
McClain has been such a bright light in the class, he makes jokes that keep smiles on our faces, sometimes when we really don't wanna be here. What he does in the class, as he states, “In the newsroom, I helped organize and schedule broadcasts. On broadcasts, I typically commentated on a variety of sports.” McClain has also done a great job of organizing the BCSN stream especially during the spring season when everyone has something to do. This job requires patience, and that is what I’ve seen grow out of McClain all this year. He has been so patient with some of us who aren't that easy to work with, being new and all. This has shown that he cares for the class and his peers.
As he himself put it when asked about what he's learned over the years, “I have learned to be patient, not be afraid to speak up, and how to be a good leader.” McClain is a senior now, and it’s going to hurt to see him go. However, his impact and mark on the program will last far beyond his years of working for it. McClain has taught me how to always keep a smile on my face, even when times are getting tough in the workplace. He has been a great leader by example to us all and how to execute on and off the stream. He would always find a way to catch the class by surprise with different quotes and phrases that he could come up with, one of those being “Revenge is a dish that’s best served cold.”
McClain has been excellent all year and does keep it interesting in the classroom. However, I would never know how to commentate if it wasn't for him, and I wouldn't know half of the things about BCSN without him constantly lending a helping hand. From playing rec league baseball, to middle school soccer, to now side by side commentating, I’ve gotten to see how McClain has changed and grown over time, and it has been a fun journey to watch.
Written by Blake McCowan
Kolten Leake, a student at Boyle County High School, started the year not doing anything after school until he found his niche, BCSN. Leake said, “I really enjoy serving BCSN; it gives me something to do after school.” Kolten plays a very important role in the classroom.
As the calendar manager, Kolten keeps track of the online calendar, which is a hassle, as he also manages the physical calendar in the classroom. Leake said, “ I don’t do too much, I work on the calendar a lot and do whatever my SID requires of me”. While Kolten may not think his role is important, the group needs to know what events are being held each day, especially some of his role models.
Kolten looks up to many role models, including Maximus Kilby, Katherine LeMonds, and McClain Denny. Leake says, “Max has always been nice to me and has talked to me a good bit; he has helped me feel like I belong here.” Max, the senior soccer player, helps many of the BRN crew.
Leake also says, “Same for McClain, he’s always been a funny guy and has made me laugh on multiple occasions. He's also tried to talk to me multiple times throughout the year more than others. When nobody else cared, those two did.”
He also credits Katherine by saying, “Katherine was always someone to look up to; her work ethic is something to aspire to.” Kolten has also grown in confidence because of some of his role models.
As a part of the SID work, you have to write articles. Leake says, “I have grown a lot more confident in writing. My first semester, I wasn’t the best at it and honestly hated writing, and now I find it a lot easier.”
The BRNNews crew is so proud of Kolten and how much he has grown as a person and a cameraman, producer, SID, and calendar manager. I personally would like to thank him for showing me how to see the good in every situation.
Written by Katherine LeMonds
When you envision Alan Wireman, you may see a track star or a beast on the soccer field. However, if you had the honor of working with him on a deeper level, like myself, you know that there is much more that he has to offer. Throughout my time with Alan in the BRNNews room, I have learned that he is capable of much more than we may give him credit for. He is creative, humorous, and quick on his feet. He doesn’t gripe about his workload or push it off to other people. Instead, he gets his work done without making a show about it. He shows great integrity and we can always count on him to get the job done.
Wireman started off in the newsroom because of his passion for sports. Alan continued to serve another semester “because I [he] had a great time covering and writing about soccer the first time I [he] took the class.”
During his time in BRNNews, he took on the role of the Assistant Materials Manager where he worked alongside Bryce Combs in fulfilling equipment management purposes. In this role, Wireman “set up and took down broadcasts,” as well as, “helped with anything that may have gone wrong with our broadcasting equipment.”
When Alan reflects back on his time spent in this class, he can see what he has enjoyed being a part of. “I enjoyed being around sports and being around a good group of people who shared my love for them.”
He has also learned a lot from this experience. Wireman shares, “I think I have grown a lot when it comes to writing and broadcasting.” He states that he has learned to “make the writings engaging and [create] something I would want to read if I wasn’t the one writing it.” Wireman also has “learned a lot about teamwork”. He has “learned how valuable communication is when working with a group.”
Wireman would like to shout out McClain Denny because he was the one who sparked his interest which got him into the class in the first place. He would also like to thank Max Kilby for working so hard alongside him during their SID work.
Alan Wireman has truly been a shining example in the classroom. Though his contributions may not come through word of mouth as often, he sets the definition of “leading by example”. God has truly blessed the BRNNews students that he has reached by allowing his presence to overwhelm our lives with friendship. Wireman will continue his athletic and academic career at Kentucky Christian University. I have no doubt in my mind that Alan will go on to do huge things, making an impact on whatever lives he comes across. I am so proud to be able to call Alan a classmate and a friend. I know his work ethic and his love for others will take him far.
Written by Caroline LeMonds
From in the classroom to behind the scenes, freshman Blake McCowan does it all. This is Blake’s second semester in the BRNNews class. When asked why he became a member of the BRNNews team and why he continued to stay, he said “I got into the class just to try it, and I wanted to stay because I found what I love to do. I have enjoyed making gippers and broadcasting games.”
Blake McCowan has been a team player from the start. He is not afraid to jump in and help whether it's volunteering for broadcasts or giving his extra time to help with stuff people don't see. When asked to talk about his journey on helping with BRN and BCSN he said, ”Last semester I was scared to reach out and ask for help, but now I'm not afraid to ask if I need to, and I'll speak out if people need help.”
When I say he was an asset, I mean it. Blake’s role in the classroom was the gipper manager, but he did so much more. For example, shouting people out on individual awards such as winning state for bass fishing or even getting 1’000 kills in volleyball! It's little things like that that make a huge difference.
When it comes to BCSN, I can't remember a time where Blake didn't try to come to every single broadcast. When he did he always gave full attention and effort, and was always looking for new angles and ways to improve the broadcast in some way.
When asked to shout out three individuals in the newsroom that have impacted you he said ”I would like to shout out McClain for being a role model, Harper for helping me out when I needed it, and Eli for just being someone to talk to. I appreciate everyone for helping me out.” Three lessons Blake said he learned from over the year were “...not to give up when equipment won’t work. Soft skills for sure and how to treat people nicely. Also, to use gipper. These all have contributed to who I am today. I have changed for the better because of BRNNews.”
Written by Kolten Leake
Bryce Combs is a Junior at Boyle County High School and he is an esteemed member of the BCSN class and is a monumental aspect in the team. Bryce has always brought life and good laughs into and out of the newsroom. He has helped set up so many broadcasts and has done countless things behind the scenes to keep the broadcast running smoothly and efficiently.
When asked about why Bryce wanted to join the class he said this, “The reason why I continue to serve in the newsroom is to help people watch their kids play sports and know info about their kids’ sports if they are unable to make it to the games. I also continue to serve the newsroom as it will help me talk to more people. Lastly, it helps me with writing articles, which will help me with my social media in the future”.
The lessons that Bryce has learned from his time with BCSN are soft skills, integrity, and initiative. He says these three things have helped him become a better person in the real world. Bryce's main roles in the classroom or SID’s have been the Soccer SID, the Track SID, and the Bowling SID. He was given these roles due to him either being in the sport or knowing someone who plays it.
His role in the class however has been the equipment manager, he is the one that takes everyone who is not doing something that day to go help and set up the broadcast, and he also makes sure everything is organized and that the batteries are charged. When asked how his growth has changed over the semesters, he says “ During the first semester I was very shaky talking into the mic but I really wanted to do it and now I am 10 times better with the mic and this helped me get better with my weather videos”.
What Bryce enjoyed most being in the newsroom is “I enjoyed all the fun trips we had and all the memories we have made”. Four people Bryce looks up to in the newsroom is Addison Carr because we wouldn’t have some of the broadcasts set up in time if it wasn’t for her helping, McClain Denny because he is an amazing leader and is always positive and is willing to help him when he is struggling in class, Kathrine LeMonds because she is another great leader and keeps things organized in class and on point to help people get stuff done. Max Kilby because he is one of the other great leaders and helped set a lot of broadcasts up with Bryce.
I have genuinely found Bryce to be a great friend and co-worker in BCSN and he has always found a way to make people laugh and has just been a bright light in the newsroom. I genuinely hope he comes back for next year.
Written by Max Kilby
Have you ever met a person so hardworking, caring, and loving that walks into any room with a smile on her face? Well, Macie Broadwater is that person. Macie’s time here in BCSN, to say the least, has been inspirational. She has come into class every day with a smile and gratitude, she never says anything bad about people even if they deserve it. Macie finds the good in everything she does, including working in the classroom and broadcasting for BCSN.
Macie's reasons for joining the BCSN family were, “ I believe this class would be an amazing experience and opportunity for my high school career.” She was also intrigued by the hardworking class from the past years. Although Macie has been serving the community for being in this class for the past school year, she has been serving diligently and gracefully by never complaining about any situation.
Throughout the past school year, Macie has learned a lot in the BCSN classroom. She's picked up new skills and abilities for everyday life; some new skills are descriptive writings, articles, gathering information, operating cameras, providing commentary, and producing in a single semester. Macie has learned a lot and she can use these skills throughout her life and into college. Macie also has contributed in the classroom as our financial and sponsorship operator. She handles all of the money and works with her classmates to get it done. She says, “ I was tasked with sharing my responsibilities with a classmate, it did not only ease the pressure on me but also helped improve the effectiveness of the system.” With that being said, Macie has so much potential in this classroom and in time she'll be a great leader and veteran on the staff.
During this semester, Macie has learned lessons from BCSN experiences that have helped her grow as an individual. She's learned how to work with people that think differently than her, and she gained the understanding that not everyone will think or solve the problem the same as her. She's also developed soft skills and found out how to properly use them in a working environment, learning how to communicate in a variety of situations and ways. Lastly, she mentions “taking Initiative” by recognizing what needs to be done, but also sharing her responsibilities and collaborating with her peers and classmates around her.
During the fall and through late December, Macie plays volleyball for the Boyle County Rebels. Macyie’s volleyball career is outstanding, she helped her team win districts last year and lead her team all the way to region runners up in region 12. Macie loves her team and the wonderful coaching staff, she can't wait till volleyball season starts again.
To conclude, knowing Macie Broadwater and understanding what she does for others impacts my life to become a better person. She is loving, caring, kind, helpful, she puts others first, and always uses integrity wherever she goes. So thank you, Macie, for your hardwork and wonderful career in volleyball and in the BCSN classroom.
Written by Sam Hackworth
Although just a Freshman, Journi Sivis has made her effort and presence well known in the BCSN newsroom. From editing, article writing, camerawork, producing, and even a little bit of commentating, Journi has contributed greatly to the success of BCSN in a variety of ways.
Primarily, she acts as one of our two editors, making sure that every article to be put out on the website is clear and correct. With one or multiple articles to be written and edited nearly every day, her workload becomes quite impressive over the span of a week. Despite the piles of articles to be seen and reviewed, Journi is always on top of it, and the readers at the BRNNews website have a lot to thank her for. “Having an editor is an important part of BRN News”, she shared, highlighting the value of a second eye on everything. Journi provides that necessary second eye, catching things that otherwise would have been missed.
If her work in the newsroom this year proves anything, it is that BCSN is in good hands for years to come. Especially if she continues her growth in the newsroom. When she says that “[her] confidence has grown tremendously”, she has the work to back that fact up. It also helps that writing and editing gives her an “exhilarating” feeling, as she puts it, and her passion for writing has translated into articles that our readers can appreciate.
Learning leadership and character from those set to leave next year like Katherine and McClain, she can emulate the qualities that make their presence so great, and continue that example for the many others who will be in the BCSN newsroom in future years. Learning from Katherine’s example as someone she describes as someone who is “always a leader”, and McClain as someone who “adds color to the newsroom everyday”, she has the example of some of the very best to follow.
As she teams up with the underclassmen that are going to be sticking with her in the years to come, I have the utmost confidence that they can continue the good work of those of us that will be of years past, and no doubt do better in many aspects. Whether working with Addison, who she views as someone with an “important role”, her co-editor Caroline, or Blake, I know that they can get the job done.
She has many great ideas and ambitions for the future of BRN News, and although I and my peers will be moving on, I’ll know that when I check in on the website, Instagram page, and broadcasts, her hand in it all will be a big reason why I can expect quality.
Written by Shelby Frondal
Isabella, or Izzy, Phillips is a girl who loves to try out new experiences when she can learn and grow from them. One of the many new skills that Phillips has acquired during her time at Boyle County Sports Network this year is the ability to write better articles. While they were simple writings at first, she began to learn and grow by creating more in-depth and detailed articles about the various sports that go on during the school year. Another thing that Phillips enjoys is the BCSN broadcasts during games and special events. She states that it is heartwarming to know that so many watch the broadcasts and appreciate what BCSN does for the community.
Phillips switches between helping another BCSN member with the sports and event calendar, both in the classroom and on the official BCSN website, and she also helps another member of the team place photos in the articles that come out to keep the people updated on what’s happening in Boyle County High School. During her time, she explains that she has learned many life lessons, such as “...not taking things for granted, hard work is earned, not given, and to be able to work in a group,” Phillips shared.
In just one semester, Phillips has gained new friends and memories during her time at BCSN and so she wanted to shout them out: Kathrine Lemonds; a senior who has helped Phillips focus and learn better work ethics, Sarah Kate Taylor; a freshman who has given Phillips a good laugh during class, and to Michelle Feistritzer: the head of BCSN has always encouraged Phillips to be the best leader she can. As a note to future members of BCSN, Phillips hopes to have a training day to help the flow and better organization in the classroom.
Written by McClain Denny
Every once in a while, you meet a person who always leaves a positive effect on anyone around them. If you’ve met Shelby Frondal, you’ve met one of these people. Shelby Frondal is the picture coordinator in BRNNews, and is the SID (Sports Information Director) for the BCHS Archery Team. Frondal was a vital member of BRNNews and was crucial to its success throughout the year.
Frondal joined BRNNews during her junior year after an unsuccessful attempt their freshman year. Frondal says, “When I first heard about BCSN, I was in middle school… I was highly interested in camera operation at the time, so I wanted to try out this class. Unfortunately, the class was filled. Flash forward a few years, I was able to get into it in my junior year.”
When asked about growth, Frondal pointed to her increased communication skills. Frondal claims that throughout the year, her ability to talk to others saw a great deal of improvement. Frondal stated, “I do still like to keep to myself and do my own work, I have grown to the point where I am less anxious to talk with the people I work with almost every day.” Knowing Shelby as a classmate, her growth was evident. As the year went on, Shelby grew into her role and became an important member of the classroom.
One of the parts of BRNNews that Frondal enjoyed was being a part of what happens in and out of broadcasts. Frondal said, “I enjoy that I feel included in everything that happens in and out of broadcasts and the newsroom.” Also, being the lead photography director, Frondal acknowledged the pressure the title holds. “People have to depend on me to get what they need, and I make sure that I do my job to the best of my ability so that people can always rely on me.”
Frondal did lots of work outside of the classroom, as well. Frondal went to countless college signings and would take pictures of the athlete, so that they could get the recognition they deserved and “save some of the best memories of their high school years.” Frondal would make sure to put two pictures on each article written by a BRNNews member, to wrap the article together.
Frondal put a lot into BRNNews, and in turn got a lot out of it. Three lessons learned by Frondal were that it is always okay to ask for help when it’s needed, a repeat of instructions is not the end of the world if you didn’t understand the first time, and that you do not have to be friends with everyone you work with, you just have to know how to work with them.
When asked to shout out three individuals that Shelby worked with, Shelby said, “McClain Denny- He always has a smile on his face and somehow manages to always spread it to me as well. Also, Kolten Leake: He’s a really chill guy who seems to like his space, which I can highly respect about him. Next, Katherine LeMonds. I don’t know how she does it, but she is the glue that holds this team together.” Shelby always made sure to give recognition to those that helped them the most.
Finally, Shelby was kind enough to share two ideas that could take BRNNews and BCSN to the next level. Shelby pointed out that it would be nice to get to know one another at the beginning of the year, and who everyone is as a person rather than a student. Also, Shelby said that it could be helpful to make sure everyone is aware of who has what role, because “sometimes it is hard to remember who is who when you are thrown into the life of BCSN when you are brand new to the scene.”
Shelby Frondal was always a hard working, smart, and passionate character that was a productive member of BRNNews.
Written by Bryce Combs
For student Sam Hackworth, when it comes to BRNNews and BCSN, he always puts in the hard work during class and outside of class. When he isn't at school, he is still doing the work for BRNNews and BCSN, even if he didn't make it to school that day, making sure he does his part, and this makes the classroom a better place. He also has amazing ball knowledge and voice for commentary, as I got to experience it firsthand when Boyle County basketball traveled to Garrard County for a district doubleheader game.
Sam and I commentated together for the girls basketball game, and it was a close one. Boyle had the lead most of the game, then Garrard came back and made the game go into OT, with junior Ashlen Young playing an amazing game. Sam was like Dicki V and Jay Bilas with some of the best commentary ever! Sam states, “As a sports fan in general, and a Senior at our school, I believe that I’ve been able to point out a few different things and ideas every now and then to help improve our general product.”
Sam is an incredible leader in the classroom, making sure we get stuff done. Sam states that communication is important, and this is very true as people in this class have come out of their shells and are incredible at communication now.
Sam has an incredible idea to make a YouTube channel, he states “creating a YouTube channel where we do season recaps and/or season introductions for different sports.” He also states, “it might be a cool thing to do for people to catch up on seasons of the past and what to expect out of a new year” this would take us to the next level and this would mean we would have to do more media days and get to know the players and this will help get players out and help them in the recruiting process.
Sam is a member of the academic team as well, being a runner-up in the region for social studies and placing 3rd in social studies in the state KAAC's Governor's Cup!!!
Sam is one of the key roles in why BRNNews and BCSN are what they are today and people in the future of BRNNews will look back at what he did and how he made BRNNews the best.
Written by Addison Carr
Andrew Messer has a role in and out of the classroom. He shows commitment to his team and great teamwork. These skills are not only shown to his baseball team but they have been demonstrated in the classroom. Messer is the definition of a student athlete. He is a player on the Boyle County High School baseball team and wearing that jersey means you are held to a higher standard of excellence. Balancing school and sports has been no issue for Messer.
Messer has been a key aspect of the BRNNews crew for the past 18 weeks and in those weeks he has shown his passion for sports broadcasting. “I became a member of the BRNnews team because I had seen the broadcasts before and have always wanted to see the behind the scenes work of how everything is done in the class.” Messer explains.
In BRNNews his job is to be the materials manager. Leading up to a broadcast he is incharge of making a list of things that need to be taken care of. Whether it's making sure the extension cords are in the gator or reminding the social media directors to post the link, he is on it.
Throughout his broadcasting journey, he has learned many valuable lessons. “Everyone is important and no one is more important than another person. Always be kind to others no matter what, even if they are not kind back to you.” Messer has demonstrated great workplace skills in the newsroom and improved on them throughout the year. “Don’t be afraid to talk to others because you may find your new best friend through just one conversation.”
Messer has a compassion for this class and there is no doubt about it. His creativity has led him to want to help improve the newsroom. “One idea that I have is to sit in class and watch some sports broadcasts to help out camera people and our announcers to give them a good idea of what they need to say or how to get a better shot from the cameras.” Messer says. This not only shows his compassion to make the broadcasts better but it shows his leadership.
With a camera in the classroom and a baseball bat on the field, Andew Messer’s great compliment, there is no better way to describe him than as a hard working student athlete.
Written by Macie Broadwater
Sarah Kate Taylor adds color to the newsroom. Whether she is commentating on a sport she knows nothing about or just making someone laugh, she is always adding color, as they would say in the broadcasting world, into any situation.
She worked hard on any task she had. She was the backbone of the newsroom and made broadcasting possible. Her job was sponsorship coordinator and money management. Without her hard work of filling out invoices and doing spreadsheets, the BRNNews broadcast would not be possible.
Sarah has grown, “Some of my favorite experiences are learning how to do an invoice, public speaking, and money management,” Taylor says. During her journey with BCSN, she has become more confident and had many valuable experiences that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. She has also learned many skills, “No matter if it was a different sport from soccer to softball, my skills have exceeded far beyond what I thought they could be.”
When she was not on the cheerleading stage, she volunteered to work the broadcasts. “I have enjoyed many things with my time at BCSN especially in the broadcasting room.” She always gave it her best, from doing flips in the air to filming courtside. She was on a tight schedule with cheer being an all-year sport but she still found time to help with the broadcast.
She credits Katherine LeMonds “for keeping us all in order and afloat,” McClain Denny for “always bringing a happy mood to class,” and Addison Carr for “always being there to help.” In BCSN, we are more than just classmates; we are a family.
Taylor has not only contributed to the newsroom with her hard work but also her amazing personality. Everyone, whether it was in class or the press box, has been lucky to work with someone like Sarah. She is our pop of color.