Broadcast Beginnings: Herricks Morning Announcements

In addition to our engaging podcast elective, I’m thrilled to introduce Broadcast Beginnings, our dynamic Morning Announcements program. This hands-on project gives students the opportunity to create engaging, relevant stories that both inform and inspire our school community. Through their participation, students not only discover the power of storytelling but also develop essential skills in media production, communication, and teamwork.

Currently, our announcements are recorded at the main news desk—an excellent foundation, but one that limits the variety of stories we can share. To expand our reach, we’re enhancing our production capabilities with new equipment, including an additional camera and rig. These upgrades will allow us to divide our team into two groups: one focused on in-studio news coverage and another dedicated to on-location field reporting. This dual-team approach will open exciting possibilities for student journalists to conduct interviews, cover school events, and produce spontaneous “man-on-the-street” segments.

Throughout the school year, students rotate through a range of roles—reporters, camera operators, editors, scriptwriters, and graphic designers—gaining hands-on experience in every aspect of production. This structure builds technical proficiency in lighting, sound, and video editing while nurturing creativity and collaboration in a fast-paced environment.

Our announcements are broadcast every Friday morning to more than 1,000 students and staff, ensuring a steady flow of engaging, relevant content. We also plan to extend our reach by featuring select segments on our YouTube channel, connecting families and community members to the vibrant life of our school. This platform strengthens home-school connections while showcasing the incredible talent and hard work of our student creators.

At its heart, Broadcast Beginnings is about more than producing video—it’s about building community. By inviting guest speakers, covering diverse stories, and encouraging collaboration, this project empowers students to become confident storytellers and thoughtful contributors to a dynamic, inclusive media experience. We can’t wait to see how this program continues to grow and inspire.