Before the first bell rings, Tupelo High School’s WTHS broadcast team is already making waves. This budding newsroom is transforming learning into a hands-on adventure, blending journalism basics with team-building to create a collaborative environment.

The team started with an ice cream social before the first day of school to help break the ice. WTHS Executive Producer, Awa Camara, called the event “Under the Stars” which followed an old Hollywood theme. 

“I wanted to do a theme that made each student feel special while tying in some themes of journalism,” Camara said. The new and returning staff were considered the stars while the executive board were the paparazzi. 

In the classroom, WTHS adviser Katrina Berry-Ivy helps facilitate a variety of hands-on activities to teach journalism basics. From crafting with play-doh to mastering teamwork through a high-stakes hula hoop challenge, students are immersed in the core principles of the profession. 

“Three students were given a hula hoop and other students were on backup just in case a student could not grasp the task. The lesson of this game is to never give up and to know that when you fail someone is always there to help you,” said Co-Executive Producer Thomas Roper. 

As the school year unfolds, the executive team has a lot of improvements in store. This year, the role of Executive Producer has been broken up into one executive and two co-executives to help balance the workload and better support one another. WTHS is also working on improving their branding and graphics. 

“I’m excited to work with all my classmates and make this a great year,” said Camara. 

To keep up with WTHS, you can follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or X.