Before the end of the school year, the Jr./Sr. High School’s Media Production class left the confines of its studio to go on an outdoor adventure.
On May 31, the class took on the Mark Cox Memorial Challenge Course at Hamilton College. 
The ropes course - - featuring an array of different tasks - - stresses communication concepts, problem-solving, healthy risk-taking and trusting others. The tasks are specifically designed to present unending opportunities for self-discovery and team growth and illustrate the differences in leadership style, which leads to greater empathy and a heightened level of self-awareness. Participants must collaborate and work together to succeed.
Teachers, Mrs. Weissenberger and Mr. Cieri, accompanied the Media Production class on the trip.
“They crushed the course and successfully completed every task,” Mr. Cieri said. “We could not be more proud of how they performed as a team.”
“Their success on the course is a direct result of how much they have grown as a team in the classroom,” Mrs. Weissenberger added. “The same skills required to complete the course are needed to put on a flawless live broadcast every morning.”
Students say they will remember the experience.
“It was a great opportunity to learn how to become more respectful, responsible and kind and improve teamwork and leadership skills,” Alexis Rocco, Class of 2020, said. “What I learned will definitely assist me as I grow.”
“It was an amazing team bonding experience,” Andrew Scalise, Class of 2019, chimed. “I learned skills I will take with me for the rest of my life.”
The Media Production class broadcasts the day’s most important news “live” from its very own studio featuring an anchor desk, green screen and control room every morning at 9:57 sharp. Before each broadcast, the designated team leader conducts a team meeting to discuss the previous day’s announcements. He or she then assigns classmates to a specific assignment for the day’s broadcast. There are two or three anchors, sound and graphics techs, along with a person in charge of operating the teleprompter - - all overseen by the team leader. The actual five-minute broadcast airs after a few practice runs.
Mrs. Weissenberger and Mr. Cieri say they would like to make the ropes course at Hamilton College an annual activity for Media Production students.