 It’s difficult to determine who benefits
most from the partnership between KTVA
and Mirror Lake Middle School. Both
parties absolutely rave about the influence
of the other, and it’s clear that this eight year
partnership has impacted many lives.
Mirror Lake has a Video News
Production class, taught by Emily Blahous.
A small group of students in this class
write, produce, and anchor a five-minute
news program that is aired school-wide
at 9:55 each morning. The “Daily Mirror
Lake News” delivers information about
everything from academics to sports
and other general announcements. It is
an essential part of communication for
everyone at Mirror Lake Middle School.
Eight years ago, Anchorage television
station KTVA was asked to form a
partnership to assist students in the Video
News Production class. Augie Hiebert, an
Alaskan journalism pioneer who founded
KTVA in 1953, and his daughter Cathy
became collaborative members of the
school’s video news team soon after.
Each year, KTVA sends a prominent
news anchor to visit Mirror Lake’s
video news team. Students are taught
how to deliver news effectively, paying
careful attention to “punching words”
and sensitivity when reporting on tragic
events. They are also given tips about
body language, wardrobe, makeup, and
hairstyles.
Mirror Lake students also take field
trips to the KTVA
studio in Anchorage,
where they witness
the industry
standard and see
that professionals
produce news in
a similar manner
as they do each
morning. Casey
Mills, an 8th grader
at Mirror Lake, said,
“This was probably
the best field trip I’ve
ever been on. We
learned so much, and I can’t wait until we
get to go back and watch a live broadcast.
This has definitely opened up some career
options.” |
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Casey isn’t the only student who
started thinking about his future thanks
to this partnership. Many go on to join
media teams in high school, and have the
confidence to join debate teams, drama
productions, and establish community
mentorships. These students continually
point to the effect of KTVA and their
experience in the Video Production Class
as a motivating factor.
Mirror Lake hosted Augie Hiebert’s
90th birthday party, and anyone who visits
the school can see classroom photos
that illustrate KTVA’s impact on education
at the school. Sadly, Mr. Hiebert passed
away in September of 2007. Because the
Video News Team meant so much to him,
Mirror Lake was listed as an option for
memorial contributions. The classroom
where the news team meets each morning
is now called the Augie Hiebert Production
Studio. All of this is a testament to how
important this relationship has become to
everyone involved.
Thanks to donations from Mr. Hiebert’s
memorial fund, Mirror Lake is laying the
groundwork to create its very own radio
station. This illustrates what can happen
when a school and business become such
dedicated and inspirational mentors to one
another.
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