After a successful first year of the student newscast Around the Spartan, the show is back with three new hosts and a lot more news about everything happening at Lima Senior High School.
The show – a product of Lima Senior’s DECA program, – is recorded weekly in the school’s studio and available for teachers to show students on Friday. It is also on YouTube. The show’s name is a take on ESPN’s “Around the Horn.”
This year’s hosts are seniors Je’Nautica Luster, Aaron Bennett and Jelisa Austin. Senior Haley Vermillion handles the recording each week.
“It seemed like a lot of fun,” Jelisa said of why she wanted to do the show. “I wanted to revamp the show and make it about everything, not just sports.”
Last year’s show focused largely on athletics, but this year’s program covers much more. The arts, student groups and academics are all front and center now. Members of the National Honor Society recently got on the show, as did a Lima Senior student with perfect attendance.
“I think we are playing a big leadership role here and showing all the positive things that are happening at Lima Senior,” Je’Nautica said.
The new crew has also taken the show outside the studio. Viewers see hallway shots, interviews throughout the building and more. They even did a clip with Superintendent Jill Ackerman while highlighting DECA at the Ohio School Boards Association’s Capital Conference in Columbus last fall.
“It is really more of a newscast now,” Aaron said. “A lot more teachers are showing it now and we’re getting a lot more views.”
Previous episodes can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjkel_uxOYlcbJqm8YmoEyA.
A few new segments have recently been added. “Felecia’s Frenzy” covers what’s new and gossipy in music, movie and television, and “Wanda’s Weird Wall” features words like “responsible” and “leader” that describes a Spartan. Students are challenged to exhibit these Spartan qualities.
There are props, dress up days and even a recent “after hours” show with glow sticks.
Around the Spartan also has a Twitter page, allowing the crew to do Twitter Polls. A recent one allowed students to vote on which teacher they would most like to see hit in the face with a pie.
The new anchors work well together and are having much fun doing the show each week.
“We are all hilarious, but can be serious too,” Je’Nautica said.
The three a very active at Lima Senior. Jelisa and Je’Nautica are both cheerleaders and are on the Spartan track team. Jelisa is vice president of her DECA chapter and president of the National Honor Society. She is also in student government.
Aaron, who handles the editing of Around the Spartan, is DECA secretary. He is on the Spartan bowling team, in Youth In Government and runs marketing for Lima Senior’s Rover Challenge Team.
Aaron will study marketing at Bowling Green State University with plans of becoming a marketing teacher.
Jelisa is heading to the University of Central Florida to study forensic science with plans of becoming a medical examiner.
Je’Nautica will attend Tennessee State University to study either dentistry or some other health care related field.
The students will use Around the Spartan to compete in upcoming DECA contests.