Helping to put FC on the map, the Radio/TV program inspires students to put forth their best efforts when covering the school’s various athletic and academic activities.
“Participating in the Radio/TV program is a matter of ultimate accountability: bottom line is, if we don’t advertise, we don’t exist,” said WNAS station manager Tim Dench.
Dench, who has been teaching for 38 years, is proud of his students and what they have achieved.
“The students at FC have shown me that when I demand more of them, they respond by becoming more productive,” he said.
Dench attributes the success of the program to his students and their hard work.
“I teach the students the skills they need to operate things, but when it’s show time, it’s all up to them,” he said.
In the 2012 fall semester, the program has broadcast more live concerts and sporting events than at any time in WNAS history.
“My favorite aspect of our program is broadcasting live sporting events, because more people watch them that any other event and a larger number of students are involved,” said Dench.
Senior Lucas Corley, a sports broadcaster for the Radio/TV program since his freshman year, also favors broadcasting sports activities.
“You get to spend a lot of time with other students and athletes doing what we do. I’ve learned a lot of their backstories from it,” said Corley.
Corley had planned on taking engineering courses once coming to high school until something happened that changed his plans.
“Before Radio/TV, I planned on taking an engineering course. Then, my eighth grade class at Holy Family voted me as Most Likely to Become a Sports Announcer, so I figured I’d run with it,” he said.
Along the way, Corley has made connections that he would not have had he chosen another path.
“I’ve had the chance to work with a lot of great broadcasters and have become good friends with them as a result,” he said.
Corley has also gained higher sense of responsibility unique to the position that he holds.
“I’m like the go-to guy when crunch time comes around. It’s good to feel counted on by my peers and Mr. Dench,” he said.
Co-host of the FC TV program the J n’L show, junior Julie Jackson, is an avid fan of the spotlight.
“I love getting in front of the camera and telling people what’s what,” she said.
Besides broadcasting live video announcements every morning for FC, another accomplishment that Jackson is proud of is the lip-sync video she recently helped produce.
“In March, we created a music video that challenged us to our full capacity. We’re extremely proud of it,” said Jackson.
Jackson spends a lot of her time working on projects for the program, including her TV show every Wednesday and whatever other pieces she may be producing or editing at the time.
“Many students think Radio/TV is an easy A, but that’s a huge myth. There’s a lot of work and effort behind receiving one,” she said.
Jackson has a positive view of the program and is glad that Dench is her instructor.
“Mr. Dench is not just a teacher. He is an amazing friend. He will go to extreme heights to try and get students to succeed,” she said.
Corley recommends the course to anyone with an interest in media as a career option.
“If you’re a student with an appreciation for hands-on work and are looking for real world skills in the production field, this class is a serious option for you,” he said.
Dench, whose days begin at 4 a.m. and end at 12 p.m., said others sometimes ask what motivates him.
“People ask why I do it and I tell them it’s fun. It’s a whole new level of teaching.”