Telecom students wasted no time signing up to be on the football crew and checking out equipment to cover weekend activities as well.

The Telecom crew covered the September 5 game that featured the VHSL Class 6 State Champion Oscar Smith High School vs Warwick High School. The crew included NNPS-TV staff, Telecom alumni, and seven students.

The Telecom students served as Camera Operators and included: Emory Whitfield and Cameron Kea (Menchville seniors), Khamari Bryant (Woodside senior), Nigel McCallum (Heritage senior), Aiden Montes-Rodriguez (Warwick junior), Mason Spencer (Denbigh junior), and John Benoit (Menchville sophomore). McCullum was still photographer in addition to Camera Operator.

Telecom alumni working on the production were: Brandon K. Hedgepeth (Woodside 2020), who was Director/Stream Technician; Ethan Clinkenbeard (Woodside 2024), who handled audio/graphics/instant replay; Joshua Stuck (2020 Denbigh), Sideline Camera Operator; and Muriel Gamble (Achievable Dream 2017), Camera Operator.

The Telecom crew will be broadcasting live and livestreaming three more games in October.

In addition to football coverage, Telecom students have taken it upon themselves to video-record at various NNPS events, including the RISE Male Empowerment Community Partner Breakfast and the Flying Classroom "Fueling the Future: Engaging Students from Day One!" event.

First-year students Benoit and Spencer went to the NNPS RISE breakfast at Ivy Baptist Church on a September Saturday. They recorded video at the event and also conducted interviews.

"The young men were great at the event. They were professional and courteous to all attendees they came into contact with," said Youth Development Specialist William Shackleford of the NNPS Office of Youth Development and Family Engagement.

"They were focused on the task at hand and did a great job interviewing me as well as [NNPS Director of Youth Development & Family Engagement] Ms. Bridget Adams," he continued.

Telecom students record at the NNPS RISE Male Empowerment Community Partner Breakfast.

Photo: Courtesy William Shackleford

Additionally, on the same day, Spencer and fellow first-year student Montes-Rodriguez went to record video at Atlantic Aviation at Patrick Henry Field, where the Flying Classroom event was held on September 13.

The program was a hands-on "learning and aviation adventure," according to NNPS's promotional announcement. It featured Flying Classroom founder and CEO, Captain Barrington Irving, as well as other speakers, including NNPS administrators, and a guided hangar tour and STEM activities.

Telecom students also recorded the girls and boys volleyball games at Warwick High and a pep rally at Heritage.

The videos will be uploaded to the student YouTube channel.

"They handled it," said Telecom Supervisor Ray Price, who was impressed by the students' initiative.

"What's neat is they just started school a month ago!" he added.