HOUSTON – In this day and age, it's all about social media, digital production and having fun with technology.
That's what the focus is for a relatively new program at Ball High School in Galveston.
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While it's been around for a few years, the media arts program has really taken off in the last couple.
For the past year or so, the school has offered a new media arts program that is allowing students to get hands-on experience in the studio.
With so much focus on social media, digital production and fun with technology -- the program is combining them all and offering a rare opportunity for students to get hands-on experience.
BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK: a quick glance at the school's daily 'Tor Report Today' show, with Galveston Independent School District
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That includes working in everything from an actual TV studio to producing daily updates for students and even a radio station that recently launched.
It's all giving students the opportunity to interview other students, teachers, members of the community and city leaders about what's going on at the school and across Galveston.
"It's very unique because this isn't really being offered anywhere," Mike Dudas, the media arts coach at Ball High School, said. "There's just a few high schools nationally, because I've gone and visited them, being able to be involved with the magnet program. Going and visiting other premier high schools, I've seen high schools that have their own radio station, but they don't really do anything on the TV side. Or they do really cool things on the TV side with control rooms and whatever, but they don't do anything on the audio side."
The program, which was initially funded by a grant from the Department of Education, continues to grow as more and more students gain interest.
VIDEO: student talking about Media Arts program at Ball High school in Galveston & all it has to offer
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Carter Burleson, a senior at Ball High School said, "I came here from Oklahoma hoping to find something unique about Ball High School that I would actually enjoy. And I found a lot more than I was expecting. Along with their audio program, they have a wonderful video program."
The initial focus was on the video side, with students producing daily newscasts and more, complete with studio and set.
But things quickly expanded and the shift to the audio side was on. Students now have a full-fledged radio studio and recently launched a 24/7 internet radio station called KTOR the Tornado.
On this side of the operations, students are able to interview other students, teachers, members of the community and city leaders.
All of it provides them a valuable learning experience while also having fun.
"We can showcase and strut our stuff and flex our muscles and say we're up there with the big boys. Just to be able to offer something unique to our students," Dudas said.
VIDEO: heading down to Galveston to check out Ball High School's Media Arts program, join me all day for interviews & details about the cool stuff they have going on at Galveston Independent School District
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Below are a list of links where you can find more information: