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Front and Center
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Each morning, a select 14 Boardman Center Middle School students broadcast the school's announcements through the television production BCMS TV. The morning program, under supervision of Joyce Mistovich (standing right), is more than 15 years old.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Boardman Center Middle School eighth-graders Rocco DeNiro (left) and Christian Lowery provided technical support Dec. 9 during BCMS TV's morning announcements. The production is manned entirely by students.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Boardman Center Middle School eighth-graders Mackenzie Allen (left) and Mimi Sharokey steadied their video cameras while Gaby Rossi counted down to the start of BMCS TV's morning announcements. Only eighth-graders can participate in the television production.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .BCMS TV anchors Brooke Bailey (left) and Kelly Kratofil took commands from the camera personnel Dec. 9 during their morning broadcast of school announcements. The TV program has five anchors.
Good morning, Boardman Center!
Morning announcements at Boardman Center Middle School can be seen and heard thanks to a live television feed and a production team of 14 eighth-graders. Under the supervision of Joyce Mistovich, BCMS TV relays important announcements to middle-schoolers, faculty and staff members daily.
The broadcast features upcoming events, words of wisdom, birthday wishes and school spirit. In addition to morning announcements, the students put together video footage and community information for local Channel 19. Guests on the channel have included school principals, Boardman local schools superintendant, executive director of Boardman Park and service organizations.
Mistovich said the eighth-graders have learned a lot from the high school production crew and are applying it to BCMS TV.
“Our students have learned to step up to the plate and take over these programs that air over Channel 19,” she said.
More than 100 students applied for the 14 positions that were available on the BCMS TV team. Competition was fierce and application requirements included good grades throughout fifth, sixth and seventh grades and three letters of recommendation from teachers. Students applied for BCMS TV during the spring of their seventh-grade year.
A committee of teachers sorted through the applications and chose the students who they felt were best for the positions. Mistovich said the committee tried to choose students they felt would gain the most from being a part of the TV program.
Since the announcements are broadcast each morning, production for the show takes teamwork and dedication. Mistovich said they have to be on top of things every day of the week.
“You have all these different students coming with different interests and abilities all striving to have one common goal and that is producing a good show each morning,” she said.
Some students have wanted to be a part of the morning production since they were introduced to it. Eighth-grader Brooke Bailey said when she saw the show for the first time in fifth grade, she knew it was something she wanted to do.
She currently serves as one of BCMS TV’s anchors and has learned that regardless of what is going on in the background, it is important to remain professional.
Bailey still has a few years to decide what she might want to study in college, but said it will be something media-related.
“This is something I really like to do,” she explained. “I’m upset on days when I miss, so when I’m on the show, it’s a good day.”