LAWRENCEBURG-The bell may signal the start of class, but if you ask the students, the day doesn’t officially begin at Anderson County Middle School until the morning news program credits roll. Mustang Media, the school’s daily eighth-grade student-led news report, features a variety of clips and announcements about academics, activities, and sports, among other helpful information.
However, the broadcast streams much more than school agenda items. District and school leaders say it is a foundational element in the goal of building a positive climate and culture among students and staff.
Career studies teacher Jessica Beasley has sponsored Mustang Media since creating the show with fellow educator Natalie Frasure in 2013. Beasley pioneered the idea while a teacher at Anderson County High School. After transferring to the middle school, Beasley incorporated the show as a Student Technology Leadership Project (STLP) activity and Mustang Media was born. Over the years, the show has grown into a staple of middle school student life.
The broadcast has evolved from a closed-circuit production to being the star of its very own YouTube channel.
“Students love seeing themselves on the show and I enjoy seeing how excited kids get when asked to be part of the show, “ Beasley reflected. “Plus, over the years, I have seen so many students participate in this that do not participate in sports or clubs. It gives them something to do, allowing them to be seen, builds their self-confidence, and helps them build friendships they may not otherwise have.”
According to Anderson County Schools Superintendent Sheila Mitchell, it is that type of student leadership that promotes positivity in schools.
“Anderson County Middle School has a very positive climate and culture and student leadership. Mustang Media is one way that is fostered and nurtured,” Mitchell said. “The topics, positive interactions with students, staff and promoting the great things happening at ACMS allows the students to take pride in themselves, their school and their school community.”
ACMS Head Principal Jeanna Rose says she is intensely proud of the effect the a student news program has on the culture of the school.
“Students get to see leadership from a student perspective and not always from an adult point-of view,” Rose said.
Assistant Principal Brad Hoskins shared that he likes how the 8th graders involved in Mustang Media get the opportunity to get a little experience, both in front of and behind the camera, as well as with the editing and all that goes into the production.
He added that some may want to go into broadcasting someday, and can use this valuable experience as a springboard.
“Our product this year is the best it has ever been,” Hoskins said.
The reporting bug appears to have bitten crew member Drake Mitchell for sure. He says he knows now exactly what he wants to do when he gets older.
“I think that it has impacted my career choice because I want to be a news reporter, and I feel like I can thank Mustang Media for the experience. I really think that it will help me with my career,” Mitchell commented.
Haven Tarrence reports that her participation in Mustang Media has been more than a fun after-school enrichment. It has been a life-changing experience.
“Since I was a young girl, I have never really liked being recorded, and talking to a lot of people,” Tarrence recalled. “But Mustang Media has helped so much with that by recording everyday, or when we can, having Mustang Media on YouTube and TikTok, which means that people all over the country can watch our videos.”
Closer to home, the daily production has served as a welcoming beacon to incoming sixth-graders. At a time that can be filled with anxiety and uncertainty, newly-minted Mustangs say they have found friends on the screen to help lead the way toward navigating a new school and new teachers.
Sixth-grader Grayson Hunter said she was nervous that she wouldn’t know her way around the school or what was going on. That was before Mustang Media first aired for the school year.
“Now, I feel like I know all of the stuff going on and I love how funny they are,” Hunter said.
Leiah Bishop, also a sixth-grader, said she finds more than information in Mustang Media. Among the announcements and weather forecasts, she says she finds others just like herself.
“I love how they are not afraid to have awkward moments, like in the bloopers. It makes me feel like I am not the only one who messes up sometimes.” Classmate Nixon Slusher agrees, stating that although he was excited to enter middle school, he was still nervous. He says he has learned a thing or two from Mustang Media as well.
“The people on Mustang Media were so welcoming and they helped me learn if I mess up, try harder, “Slusher stated.
For sixth-grader Luciano Talarigo, Mustang Media is an educational experience as well as an entertaining one.
“There are all these random facts that I didn’t know I wanted to know,” Talarigo shared.
Bill Pickett, ACMS Assistant Principal, says he is impressed by how participation in Mustang Media helps get students out of their shells.
“I am amazed at how some of the shy kids I see everyday transform when they are on camera,” Pickett said.
Crew member Maddi Potts is one of those students.
“Many teachers have said that they really see my personality and me opening up since Mustang Media, and that truly has been so amazing for me to hear,” Potts shared.
“Mustang Media has definitely boosted my confidence levels, so that will be a big helper when I go to apply for jobs.”
Sixth graders aren’t the only ones who are big fans of Mustang Media. Seventh grade math teachers Jennifer Merchant and Joe Rose both say the program is a great way to start the school day for everyone. They say along with their fellow sixth and eighth graders, their seventh grade students find role models among those whom they see on the screen. Merchant says she appreciates the daily shout outs about sports events, in particular.
“By promoting when and where teams are playing, it builds excitement and encourages students to support their classmates,” Merchant reflected.
“Mustang Media provides a platform for student voice and creativity,” Rose said. “Students are empowered and given a sense of belonging.”
According to the Mustang Media crew, they owe much of their success to their show’s creator and compass.
“Mrs. Beasley is always there when we need help. We can call her, or run down to her room and she can always point us in the right direction,” shared crew member Harper Kate Hutton. “I have really made a connection with this group because I have never had a group so supportive of each other. Every one of them encourages each other during their time working together and outside of school and that is what a team should do,” Beasley noted. “They are so excited to create the show each day that I have to remind them of the time. They would stay longer than our scheduled time and they begged me to come in during the snow days to film. In all my years of working, I’ve never had a group so excited. That’s what makes it so easy for me to do this.”
Beasley plans to keep Mustang Media going until she retires, and has already lined up a successor for when that day comes. She says she recognizes how integral the program is to the fabric of the school and looks forward to new adventures with future Mustangs.
ACMS Assistant Principal Jonathan Wilkins reaffirmed the benefit of the school news program, saying, “ This program is more than just a resource, it projects the heart and soul of the Mustang experience at Anderson County Middle School.”