Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Wawasee High School has improved its video production studio thanks to a grant from the Dekko Foundation.
WHS is now one of three schools in the state with such a high level of technology.
The studio previously had approximately $55,000 worth of equipment and the grant allowed the school to add another $40,000 worth of equipment to the studio.
"We're very, very proud of what we did," said Joni Christoffel, manager of the production studio.
WHS Principal Alan Frank said he couldn't say enough about Christoffel, including what she had done before the addition of the new equipment.
The studio has two systems available. The "Casablanca" system is a non-linear system, which means editing and special effects are done on a computer. They tape is transferred to digital and can be cut and pasted on the computer. When the work is completed it can be written to tape.
The "Trinity" system is a linear editing system, which means editing is done from beginning to end and is not digitized into the computer system.
While the school didn't comment on the amount of the grant, they were also able to purchase new digital cameras.
"The cleaner the camera, the better your filming," said Christoffel, "and the better the edits."
All state testing, such as the ISTEP testing, is done directly in the classrooms using the studio equipment.
The classrooms are wired with monitors so instructors are broadcasting to all classes at the same time.
The benefit is that classes are able to start and stop at the same time, reducing the amount of delays waiting for others to catch up. They also place a digital clock on the screen so all students know exactly how much time is remaining.
The school is also doing live in-house broadcasts, such as morning announcements. WHS has become one of two schools in Indiana that are doing all of the broadcasts live. All other schools prerecord their announcements and broadcasts.
Christoffel said she has never had to stop the broadcast to remove anyone from the studio because of behavior problems.
"This proves to me just how well they can be professional," said Christoffel. "They don't come in here and treat this as a joke, they take it very seriously."
The grant was written by David Van Lue with support from Christoffel, Ron Carson and Bill Guinther.
