MEDIA PROGRAM ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

For much of my childhood a certain magic was associated with storytelling.  Specifically, I recall movies present in my early years. As I grew older I realized  more of what happened behind the scenes to bring stories to life. I quickly understood that I wanted to commit my creativity to producing stories and media alike.

Utilizing the CTE Broadcast Media & Film classes for three years, I learned the essentials of film, video and radio. The program provided experience directing and producing as a team in cinematic and journalistic media, where I refined my skills in camera operation and post production. 

Under the supervision of Tim Richardson and Erika Celeste I was able to strengthen work skills like time management and other poignant video production skills. Each project completed has touched on a variety of abilities refining my expertise in many areas at once.  

Additionally, I owe my progress to the Work Based Learning program, during which I worked within the CTE media classroom and studios to produce projects for the South Bend Education Foundation. The opportunities given to me have accelerated my education and matured my professionalism.  

Ultimately, I think that I've found my passion and what I want to do for the rest of my life in this CTE program. Thank you so much, and I don't think I'll ever forget it. 

What I liked most about the class was the opportunity to work on filming production and editing projects, not only within the class but also within the community. 

Through the class, I gained experience in media production while also making an impact within the city. I helped with smaller freelance events and larger community volunteering events. The class largely prepared me for life and a career after high school, especially as a filmmaker and writer. I learned the basics of camerawork, production, writing/scripting, and editing while also discovering my unique style of media creation. 

Additionally, working with my teacher and a great team of students helped me understand how to collaborate on media projects, which is crucial in the media/film industry. As a student attending the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, finishing my BA degree in Cinema and Media Studies and Screenwriting, and constantly working on sets and in production, the class has been instrumental in my development. 

The Broadcast Media and Film class was one of the most impactful resources in my professional career that I still use to this day. 

As a student in the program, I liked that I was able to try a variety of different career paths. I like to think of it as sampling different flavors of ice cream. Would you ever pick one without even trying it? Why enter college not knowing what you’re getting into?

The program allows you to find your calling in the industry and study it even further. After graduation, you feel confident that the path you chose is the one for you! 

The Broadcast Media and Film class also had a very flexible curriculum. You definitely aren't sitting at a desk all day taking notes! The program is hands-on and allows you to cover some of the biggest events in the area. Some of the perks of covering such events are the people you meet and network with. I've had the privilege of interviewing local city leaders, television celebrities and even U.S. presidential candidates! 

Now, as an alumnus of the program, I’ve been able to reflect on the many opportunities the class has given me. Because of the program, I was even offered my first professional job at a local television station (while still in high school) where I’ve had even more opportunities than I could even imagine—I still work there to this day almost four years later.

Mr. Tim Richardson's Broadcast Media and Film Class is without a doubt one the biggest factors that has put me on the path to reach my career  goals in Sports Media. 

While I was able to learn valuable lessons in  editing and on-air production, the most valuable lessons I learned came  from the networking I was able to do because of the various connections  that came from Mr. Richardson's class. Since I was able to gain  valuable experiences and skills in the Broadcast Media and Film Class, I  was able to jump right into student media as soon as I stepped on  campus at Notre Dame. 

As I make my way through college, I am able to  realize how fortunate I was to have countless opportunities presented to  me in the media realm throughout high school, and all of them were  because of the Broadcast Media and Film CTE.  

I can confidently say that the Radio/TV Production program played a pivotal role in shaping my journey into the future. As a high school student, this program provided me with an invaluable opportunity to explore my interests in video and audio production.

The class not only introduced me to the fundamentals of media production but also allowed me to engage in hands-on projects like creating short films and producing news programming. These experiences were not only fun and exciting but also helped me gain clarity on the specific aspects of video and audio projects that truly sparked my passion.

Currently I am at Indiana University Bloomington studying media with a concentration in film, television and digital production with a minor in marketing. This class equipped me with a solid foundation and a deep understanding of my chosen field. The knowledge and skills I acquired through the Radio/TV Production program gave me a head start, allowing me to confidently tackle my coursework and excel in my major. I am grateful for the guidance and mentorship I received during my high school years, as it has provided me with a strong footing in my media production journey. 

To any high school student considering a future in media, I recommend the Radio TV Production program. It will ignite your passion, provide you with essential skills, and set you on the path to success in college and beyond. 

The hands-on projects and opportunities to do news stories in the community provided by the Broadcast Media and Film Production CTE program were very beneficial to me. 

Additionally, the program enabled me to earn nearly a dozen credits from Vincennes University, where I studied Broadcast Journalism after graduating from high school. Whether it was short films, live radio shows, or even a variety of talk shows, Mr. Richardson always had exciting  projects for us to finish.

The radio/television course helped me develop my communication and strategic thinking abilities in preparation for college. I relocated to Evansville, Indiana after receiving my degree from Vincennes University in December 2021 in order to work as a photojournalist at WFIE 14News. 

What I enjoyed about the class was the multiple projects that really were fun educational hands-on training that made coming to class a pleasure. I had the chance to be on live radio whenever I wanted, make my own podcast, short films, news style video packages, radio sound bytes. The best thing about the class was how much trust and responsibility my former teacher and current friend and mentor Tim Richardson had put in me. I had multiple chances and

opportunities to leave campus to interview the mayor, superintendent, high school principals and concerned citizens during the COVID pandemic, as well as the Black Lives Matter movement. My high school experience was elevated to a whole new level thanks to this awesome class and instructor who I thank for providing me with world class knowledge in the world of news and journalism.

The class prepared me for adult life really well since I learned and utilized time management

and deadline setting skills. I run my day to day life extremely efficiently and it all started with the class. It has prepared me for college since I earned multiple scholarships for being in a CTE class as well as going on a class visit to the college I attend today! That opportunity allowed me to confirm the next place that I wanted to take my education to. Communication is a word I use multiple times a day and it all started when I first took the class. Learning how to properly communicate and talk to members of the public as well as my peers was extremely critical for my success in the classroom.

I am currently a student at IU South Bend that is majoring in Communication Studies with

focuses in Public Relations as well as Relational Communications. This stemmed from the class as we visited IU South Bend as a class and spoke with the lectures in the Communication Studies Department! I am also in the Army National Guard and I coach in the South Bend School system and these are things that I learned about the need for more members through the works of the classroom. 

When I signed up for this class I just thought it would be a fun class to take, however this class led me down a career path that I never imagined was possible for me. 

This class gave me the basic skills to enter two types of fields in media. The first job opportunity this class afforded me was working with a freelance photographer who mentored me, in addition to Mr. Richardson. The second job opportunity this class brought was a full time position as a Technical Media Producer at WNDU-TV. This job has allowed me to grow my skills in the broadcast industry while working with experienced individuals in the industry. 

This class has not brought me anything less than success in this line of work that I never imagined I would be in, and I am only starting in my career! 

I liked that the class gave us hands-on experience in audio and video production. I love to edit videos, and this class gave me many chances to hone my skills and express my creativity.

This class was my motivation to continue my studies in video production. It also prepared me to have a head start in video production knowledge. I currently attend Ball State University to better my skills in video production. Ball State also allowed me to work in the College of Communication, Information, and Media Department where I can put my skills to work.