By Megan Hess
Review Staff Writer
‘Outstanding students who want to produce the best work possible.? That’s what makes LOHS’s Television Production Workshop (TWP) so successful, according to its instructor, Roger Smith.
TWP earned nine first-place Michigan Interscholastic Press Association awards this year in individual categories, four in second place, three in third place and 12 honorable mentions.
But that’s not all.
The class also nailed another Spartan award (first place overall), first in Best Newscast and second in Best Feature On-site.
This is the third of four years TPW has won a Spartan. The class is nearing its 25th anniversary and is looking at a bright future.
‘We have lots of alumni who are in the field, and the legacy of previous groups has raised the standard for what is expected of our current students,? Smith said.
Spartans are comprehensive awards that take the entire school year into account, according to Roger, which makes the award even more prized.
‘It’s truly a team recognition, and it takes everyone’s hard work and dedication in order to achieve it,? he said. ‘Submitting videos for awards is part of the learning process, and we look forward to the feedback we receive so that we can continue to learn how to get better.?
Cody Stauber is among the rising stars in TPW. Partnering with Ross Stolzenburg, the two won a $3,000 scholarship for their Public Service Announcement entry on underage drinking from Courageous Persuaders (CP).
‘I strongly believe in the message, and we would cover PSAs anyway, so I ask my students to submit to this contest,? said Smith.
Nearly 1,200 students submitted video entries across 42 states. This is the second year in a row Lake Orion students have won a scholarship.
Stauber, a senior, received the most awards of any student at MIPA and is heading to Central Michigan University to study radio and television broadcasting.? Stolzenburg is a junior and will return as a leader of TPW next year.?
Other TPW stars include Chris Rudnick and Brendon Clarkston, who have interest in film, have worked on the crew of a recent professional film shoot, and ‘could certainly be on their way to the film industry,? said Smith.
Other students like Alex Forrest, who won a third place award and honorable mention from MIPA, Scott Lehman, with four firsts, two seconds and two honorable mentions, and Nicolette Raymor, with two firsts, one third and two honorable metions, all have a high interest in broadcast journalism and might pursue careers, according to Smith.
As for the future of the workshop, Smith says they’ll keep doing what they’re doing and hopefully make it out with a few awards.
‘Our goal is to continue producing the best work we can, and if we happen to win awards as a result of that, then that’s icing on the cake,? he said.
Even facing potential school budget cuts, Smith stays optimistic on what’s to come.
‘Sure, we can always use new equipment and resources, but we are looking for alternative funding sources for those future purchases,? he said. ‘Some of those sources include fundraising by the students, grants, and perhaps our community cable commission.?
In the near future, Smith hopes to start using the district’s Education Channel (Comcast channel 22) as a way to air newscasts and possibly put programs online.?
‘The Education Channel (Charter channel 22) and posting video online would allow our community to become better informed with what’s going on in the schools on a consistent basis, rather than waiting for occasional newsletters,? said Smith.