Cathleen AllisonChannel 4 reporter Victoria Campbell interviewed Carson High School Junior Kate Keller, 17, on Monday morning. Campbell helped students prepare for their role as affiliates for CNN's student bureau.
Normally when 17-year-old Kate Keller talks into the camera, she is broadcast throughout Carson High School. But now she has a chance of being seen worldwide.
"I think it's good recognition for us," she said. "We've done a lot of good work in this class and now we get to show it off."
Carson High's video production class was chosen as one of 135 high schools and colleges throughout the world to serve as affiliates for CNN's student bureau.
"I absolutely think it's awesome," said teacher Brian Reedy. "The greatest advantage is it's going to give the kids a real-life experience that will help people understand students' opinion on important issues. This is going to help us create news that is much more relevant."
Victoria Campbell and Josh Thomaselli, reporter and photographer for Channel 4 News respectively, visited the classroom Monday to give tips on a variety of skills, including professionalism and how to conduct an interview.
"We learned you have to talk to people like it's a conversation, not an interrogation," said Chris Scaffidi, 17. "And to be a cameraman, you have to be prepared to go. It's a very demanding job."
The students, who broadcast announcements daily throughout the school, will be responsible for shooting and producing stories to send to the student bureau. The stories will be posted on the Internet or broadcast on the network, which airs at 1:30 a.m.
Campbell is confident they can do it.
"This is a really, really dynamic school," she said. "Brian Reedy is an excellent teacher. He does so much to give the kids opportunities that nobody else has. I wish I'd have had this kind of experience when I was in high school.
"He's given them about as close as you can get to actually working in a television station right here in high school. That's unheard of."
In addition to learning the elements of news, the students also became the news -- good preparation for Robert Sharp, 18.
Sharp plans to major in political science and took the class to better understand the media. He had his first taste of fame being interviewed by Campbell for the Channel 4 news for tonight's 6 o'clock broadcast.
"I was a little more nervous than I expected," he said. "But with a little practice -- practice makes perfect."
Reedy said the students will begin work soon on stories for the CNN student bureau.
For your information
To see more on this story watch Channel 4 news at 6 p.m.
To see stories submitted by student affiliates or for more information about CNN's student bureau visit fyi.cnn.com
