Pilot: Going live for the first time

Horizon’s Broadcast club runs the morning announcements presenting upcoming events, important information, and entertainment segments. The club started at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, with the help of digital media teacher Gerardo Facio and campus technology coordinator Michael Ognibene. 

The idea behind starting the club surrounded students meeting new people, and experiencing what it’s like to run a live broadcast channel. 

 “I chose to start a broadcast because my background is in video production and I thought it would be fun for the students to get their hands on and experience it,” Facio said.

Most of the students that decided to join had one thing in common: seeking new experiences. No background knowledge on broadcasting was necessary.

“I was stuck in band for three years so this year I decided to join something else like the broadcast. For it being the first year, maybe it could take a turn for the better and it did. It helped me choose my career,”  senior Elias Segura said.

Going live requires a lot of equipment. The club uses two monitors, audio mixing board, video mixing board, Iphone camera, five lights, microphones, HDMI software and canva. 

“My favorite equipment is the video panel, because it's what controls everything and it's what everyone sees on the announcements,”Junior  Annalea Soledad said.

The club gets the information for the broadcast by asking teachers, students, or even administration about things going on in school. Getting information isn't the hardest part. If there is anyone who wants to make an announcement they can just contact them on their IG page @hhs.broadcasting.

“We get our information by asking teachers to send us an email or fill out a form so they can get announcements out. We also get information from the newsletter that is provided from Mrs.Aleong and the information that administration wants to give to the students and the teachers,” Facio said. 

Going live can be challenging and full of different emotions such as nervousness. However, students take it as overcoming obstacles and making them feel courageous. 

"At first I was very nervous, but people started recognizing and they found it funny when I stuttered or something so I kind of felt better about it,” sophomore Andrea Duran said.

Even though this is the first year this will continue for the following years, there will be room to improve and for new members to join.