Pupils experience careers in TV

Television started at Center Middle School in 1992.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AREERS IN TELEVISION start early at Boardman schools.
Pupils hit the air daily at Robinwood Lane Elementary, Boardman Center and Glenwood Middle schools and the high school.
The younger pupils begin each day with morning announcements in the form of a newscast with some filling the anchor seat and others behind the cameras.
High school students produce interview shows, live broadcasts and candidate debates, appearing both in front of and behind the cameras.
Creation
It all started in 1992 when Allen Butcher's son David, now 25, needed to earn a television badge for his church youth group.
Realizing that other group members also needed their badges, Butcher talked to the principal of Center Middle School to get the ball rolling.
"Electronics has always been a hobby of mine," Butcher said.
It started out as an agreement with Armstrong Cable, which owned the equipment. The school district now owns the equipment and studio.
TV moved into Glenwood Middle in 1998, and the high school auditorium, built in 2000, was designed and built for television.
Last month, Atty. Mark Huberman, the volunteer network programming director at the high school, initiated a regular prime-time schedule.
Programs run from 7 to 10 weeknights.
Programming
Huberman said programs focus on the schools, with Superintendent Frank Lazzeri and Fred Davis, school board president, each giving district updates. Also, there are programs about the schools' music programs, county government and the Statehouse.
On a recent episode of "Boardman Biography," a program where Huberman and a student interview well-known community members, the subject was Richard Selby, former Boardman schools superintendent.
Senior Aliya Nechiporchik, who's in her first year of TV class, joined Huberman in the questioning of Selby.
She's not sure if it's a career she wants to pursue.
"I personally don't know, but Mr. [Tom] Sullivan thinks I should," Aliya said.
Sullivan teaches the television class at the high school.
Behind the scenes
Junior Mike Lewis performed video engineer duties for the "Boardman Biography" installment.
That means he's in charge of running the VCRs to record the show.
This is also Mike's first year in TV, but he hopes to continue.
TV I and II run for half a year while TV III through V are yearlong classes, Mike explained.
Teacher Joyce Mistovich, who runs the program at Center, said participation is selective.
Seventh-graders apply, explaining why they want to be involved and detailing what they can bring to the station.
"About 100 to 125 apply each year, and the teachers select 15 students." Mistovich said.
To be picked, they must demonstrate academic strength and get favorable recommendations from teachers.
Those who are picked do announcements in homeroom every morning.
Three participants this year are Jon Gluckner, Ann Jesko and Rachel Gronvall.
Rachel applied because of her sister, Lauren.
"I watched my sister every morning," Rachel said. "She was an anchor last year, and she talked about how much fun it was."