THE FUTURE OF BGTV LOOKS BRIGHT

By EMILY NAGLE

The Media and Journalism class at Washingtonville High School broadcasts their news  across the district for all to see, including the students at all three of the elementary schools.  One class that has taken a special interest in all things BGTV and The Washingtonville Wizard Weekly is Mrs. Martirano’s fifth grade class at Round Hill Elementary. 

EMILY NAGLE FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

In the spring of 2017, the staff of BGTV aired an episode with a segment called, Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader.  Turning a well known television show into a segment was the brainchild of former Wizard, Alyssa Jin, and it was a huge success.  The episode involved Ms. Martirano’s fifth grade class and the students were beyond thrilled to see themselves on television.  

At the end of the school year, Mr. Leonard and Mrs. Connolly, teachers of the Media and Journalism class, came up with the idea to invite Mrs. Martirano’s class for a tour of the studio.  The staff of BGTV, the blog and podcasting channel took the youngsters on the tour where they taught them about all aspects of the course, answered questions and, upon request, signed autographs for the students who believed them to be real television celebrities.

Ever since the episode aired,  Mrs. Martirano, also a former Washingtonville student, has incorporated aspects of the Media and Journalism class into her students’ weekly routine.  Not only did she want to expose her students to the weekly production of BGTV, but she also “gave the students a synopsis of what BGTV was and, of course,  they had a million questions.  So, as we watch episodes, we pause to answer questions or I will give them any information about production.” 

Because it was such a huge success last year, the staff of 2018 decided to reenact Jin’s segment for this week’s episode with some modifications and twists made by Andrew Fitzpatrick of ‘Fitz on the Fly.’  Once again,  Mrs. Martirano’s classes were thrilled and starstruck.  

With help from their beloved teacher, the students continue to learn more and more about the course as their interest exceeds all of Mrs. Martirano’s expectations.  The impact the staff of the Media and Journalism class leaves on her students is a huge factor.  Andrew Kluck, one of Ms. Martiano’s fifth graders expressed, “I look up to the people in BGTV for their bravery and how good they are at editing and recording.  I want to learn all about that.”

Being exposed to this course at such a young age will hopefully  help guide the students in  discovering their passions.  Some of these kids already have it figured out.  For instance,  Austin Mobray, voiced, “I would get an Art and English credit, and if that is something I want to do when I’m older, I would have experience.  It would make me more responsible, and things like that.  I would be Mobray on the Move.”  This is a perfect example of the positive impact older students can make on younger ones.  There is no doubt that Mobray was influenced by Kaitlin Metichecchia from “Metichecchia on the Move.”

As these children learn more about what the Media and Journalism class entails,  they become more eager to be a part of it one day.  The students enjoy the creativity aspect and the positivity that is spread.  “BGTV inspires me, and I would LOVE to inspire others,” expressed fifth grader, Alexah Nodhturft.  These role models have done their jobs and, by the looks of it,  the staff of the Media and Journalism course is already lined up for the class of 2025.  Stay tuned Wizard Nation!