Van Buren Students Broadcast Sports, Events With Grant

Van Buren County High School students are beginning to test out their new video equipment after the Media Club received a $5,000 grant.

Media Club Sponsor Beth Simmons said this equipment was badly needed at a rural high school. Simmons said being able to put video content out to the public has become even more important during the pandemic.

“With basketball season being in full swing, a lot of grandparents are not able to attend games,” Simmons said. “Players and Cheerleaders are limited to the number of guests they can have. By the time they cover parents and siblings in the same household, then grandparents are not able to attend in person.”

Simmons said students are currently figuring out the best way to put video out on social media. She said the plan is to have everything up and running for the Spring semester.

“Push out things that may not be aired or viewed on (Ben Lomand) Channel 6,” Simmons said. “Through our YouTube and Instagram and Facebook.”

Simmons said with the Van Buren County High School Media Club being student run, these are students looking to build career skills. She said all the members use their free time to participate in the club.

“I see that students learn best when they do hands-on,” Simmons said. “Everything that they need to know is not in a textbook or on a power point or in a class lecture. They find out what they’re good at when they start with hands-on experience.”

Simmons said that Ben Lomand Connect sent out the application for the $5,000 grant.