Who better to give you news from the high school located in Camden than the students who attend it themselves? Just go to the Henry High website, henry.mpls.k12.mn.us, and click on the tab that is titled “News.” From there open “Henry News Hour” and you will view a student-created news show. Members of Video 2 classes will provide items such as school sports, youth issues, the Robotic team, counseling department, movie reviews, community news, and opinions about distance learning versus in-person learning.
Some students select the class as an elective, others are scheduled in the class by their counselor, and some are recruited from having taken a prerequisite Digital Video 1 class. The Video 1 class is for beginners wherein enrollees learn concepts like framing, basic editing, camera angles, how to use a camera, and studying some classic films such as Jaws.
The class instructor for both video classes, Alex Conover, states that “Some [students] have personalities that make them a fit for journalism.” Conover reaches out with his enthusiastic manner to encourage them to continue in this avocation. One student in the Video 1 class shared that he had developed his own YouTube site while at home – a collection of videos on fashion – consequentially, Conover suggested that this innovative person sign up for Digital Video 2.
Conover is looking forward to Henry’s opening in April when he can connect with more individuals in the hallways and approximately one-half of his current class groups may be in-person learning. He has reached out to existing on-site groups such as the fall’s football team to recruit students. When you open the student led Henry News Hour you will note the diversity of the presenters reflecting the goal of wide representation of cultures. You may not know that some are of high academic achievement level; some receive special education services. All are receiving a rewarding experience. Conover says, “The class is kept to a smaller size to spotlight each student and give enough personal instruction to meet the public.”
Video students have had the honor and expertise of an advisor from the Star Tribune, Zoё Jackson, who has helped once a week brainstorming story leads and working on delivery of videos regarding youth and voter turnout. If you have a suggestion for a story email Henry High’s Public Relations Connector Marcus.Zachery@mpls.k12.mn.us. Embrace this new media. It is a mix of traditional news media and YouTube style video. And, importantly, it provides another avenue of success for our youth.
Note: Transition news for Henry High: By April 13 all students will have access to in-person learning with four days in-school and one day distance learning if that is the option their family has chosen.