Students in the Media Production class at the Jr./Sr. High School welcomed a very special guest on February 8 - - the highest ranking law enforcement official in Oneida County.
Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol visited the class to offer career and life advice, including what it’s like and takes to be a law enforcement officer.
As part of his visit, Sheriff Maciol participated in the class’ team meeting and read the morning announcements alongside two students. The announcements are broadcasted “live” throughout the Jr./Sr. High School. 
Senior Andrew Scalise was the class’ “team leader” for the day. He conducted the team meeting to first discuss the previous day’s announcements and then assign each classmate to a specific job for the upcoming broadcast. It was also an opportunity for everyone to hear from and interact with Sheriff Maciol, who was joined by School Resource Officer Deputy Taylor.
“It’s really incredible that Sheriff Maciol came to our class to give us some really good insight because a lot of us, including myself, want to go into law enforcement,” Scalise, an aspiring state trooper, said. “You always hear ‘present yourself well and stay out of trouble,’ but to hear it from him and to learn about his experiences means a lot, especially for us who want to become a police officer.”
This school year marks the eleventh consecutive year students in the Media Production class are in charge of communicating the daily announcements at the Jr./Sr. High School. Every morning at 9:57 sharp, the class broadcasts the day’s most important news “live” from its very own studio featuring an anchor desk, green screen and control room.
Business teacher Mrs. Weissenberger co-teaches the class with Mr. Cieri, director of management information systems. They are assisted by Computer Aide Mr. Cardillo. Mrs. Weissenberger says the class is so beneficial because it’s much more than just being on “TV” or putting a broadcast together. She says the class is designed to help students develop skills they can transfer to any career - - not just journalism or communications.
“It’s a very nontraditional class because we don’t have textbooks, tests or quizzes,” Mrs. Weissenberger explained. “Instead, students are graded on what they produce each day and how productive and valuable they are to the team and morning news. It really is about coming in, meeting as a team, finding out what went right, what went wrong, and making it better.”
To assist in the development of real-life skills, several guests have visited and participated in the class since the beginning of the school year, including the Westmoreland Central School District’s very own Mr. Healy, director of pupil personnel services/curriculum K-12, Mr. Saxton, Jr./Sr. High School principal, Mr. Langone, athletic director, and Mr. Kaleta, director of communications.
“It’s really important for our students to learn from professionals in the real world,” Mrs. Weissenberger said. “Nothing beats hearing their authentic experiences and advice.”
Sheriff Maciol, the most recent guest, was impressed by the class’ organization and drive.
“It excites me when I see young adults taking an initiative to show their maturity,” Maciol said. “It’s promising to see because obviously these students are the up and coming future for society, and from what I saw, we are in pretty good hands.”
During his visit, the sheriff stressed his critical role in keeping our community and schools as safe as possible. He had a very important, direct message for students.
“Stay focused in school, do well in school and do not get involved in any drama,” Maciol said. “I don’t mean the Drama Club either. I mean the drama of being a teenager. At the end of the day, each and every student should be focused on doing the best they can. Never short change yourself; you can reach any goal you set.”
Sheriff Maciol says the opportunity to interact with students is also essential to building and improving relations between law enforcement and our community.
“Unfortunately, from time-to-time, I see a lot of negative things, but it’s nice to see kids doing good and positive things,” Maciol explained. “At the same time, it’s important for us in law enforcement to let kids know, firsthand, we are human beings and it’s simply our job to keep people safe. We never want people to be afraid of us and think they can’t approach us with an issue.”
And, it’s visits like the one by Sheriff Maciol that makes Media Production so worthwhile for students like Andrew Scalise and fellow senior, Danielle Flack.
“We are pushed every day to exceed our limits,” Flack said. “I couldn’t imagine in September what I would be accomplishing today.”
“Everybody is a family,” Scalise said. “Mrs. Weissenberger is like our mom. She brings us bagels and donuts to celebrate success. It’s always fun.”
“We are learning lifelong skills that we will always need and use,” he added.
The Media Production class thanks Sheriff Maciol for visiting!