In school, specific classes cover stories of events, classes, and situations going on. With that in mind, there’s one other class that covers the news other than the Guidon, and that’s USD489 News, otherwise known as Advanced Video Production.

The class entails students who films news stories each month and also may create shows, promos, and stills for channel 13. Last semester there was only one class, but this semester there are two class periods that are able to get things done quicker. The class is run by students mostly, with the guide of Dan Balman to help them with the technical aspects of it. Brooks Barber is the Executive Producer, Brandon Wise is Assistant Producer, Rachael Arthur is Director, and Jake Dechant is Technical Director. The senior anchors are Amber Klaus, Jenna Lubbers, and Rylie Rowland. Other members of the class are Jacob Alexander, Allyson Flax, Hunter Perryman, Brooke Russell, Cassandra Quinby, Dylan Scheibler, Kali Pitcock, Alexis Gonzalez, Mason Wellbrock, Adam Brungardt, Kylie Brown, Trenton Henningson, Justin McCullick, Caden Cunningham, Kara Brooks, Ana Goodlett, Sage Markley, and Ragan Arnold.

The typical day of Video Production could be different according to each person. Depending on their role and circumstance, each day of class could vary depending on assignments given to a student, according to sophomore Ana Goodlett.

“Video Production never really has a typical day. One day you could be thinking of stories, another day you could be filming for a story, and another day you could be finishing up the editing of a story,” Goodlett said.

Senior Rylie Rowland also has several things that she could be working on in the class.

“I could be creating a still in Photoshop or go to film at an elementary school.”

With the large amount of people attracted to the class, there could be a number of reasons why they would find the class fun and interesting.

“What I like about this class is that it is student run. Sure, Balman keeps us organized, but the ideas and the work is put in by the students,” sophomore Mason Wellbrock said.

Ana Goodlett enjoys the relaxed tone of the class.

“What I most like about that class is that as long as your stories done by their deadlines, the class is very lax and not the type of class to keep me up all night worried.”

Whether the students are filming, editing, or thinking of ideas for their next project, USD489 News team is working hard and efficiently to come out with each monthly news. The class works together to create stories for one ultimate goal, which is the full monthly newscast, and also creates friendships and bonds with one another.

“The class becomes a family, it’s not just like another typical class,” Rowland said.

15rarthur@usd489.com