Mississippi High Schools across the state are developing students in their journalism and media skills, with the southern part of the state being no exception. Taking a look at one of the innovative programs in the region, Biloxi High School’s TribeTV is a growing operation that has recently found itself on BTV, the Biloxi public television channel.
TribeTV’s advisor Olivia Carson explained how the student-led program operates on a day-to-day basis, covering many segments of Biloxi schools.
“We started off doing weekly announcements, and the students at the beginning of the year craft what they want the episodes to look like,” Carson said. “So we have weekly episodes that always include announcements for the week, and then any sporting events or other big events going on at the school.”
TribeTV bases its features on what they consider to be the best people in their schools, and to introduce new faces as well.
“They also do what we call BBB, which is Be Biloxi’s Best, where they highlight staff or students who embody what it means to be Biloxi’s best,” Carson said. “Also, they have a new teacher segment where we get to know the new teachers. It’s just keeping up to date on all things Biloxi.”
Adding onto this, the shows also include entertaining segments to create traction and inclusion with Biloxi students. Sosuke Inoue, the editor in chief of TribeTV, highlighted this as a standout part of their content creation.
“One of our favorite segments is the question of the week that we do every week to get the student body involved in our broadcast,” Inoue said. “We ask a variety of questions from trivia to seasonal questions. We sometimes do fun games like brain teasers and quizzes, but it’s mainly seasonal questions.”
Along with Inoue, the students who make up TribeTV are the heartbeat of the program. Growth was a theme found among the students who work together in it, both in how they are able to spread the notoriety of their broadcasts and grow in their own journalism skills. That reach of audience was shared by student Daniela Masamidola, who was enthusiastic to know they succeeding in spreading their work.
“ I think it’s been really fun to tell people what TribeTV is all about,” said Madamidola. “It helps us to reach a bigger audience. a lot of people in the city didn’t know that we existed, now they do. It also gives us an opportunity to showcase things about Biloxi High School as well as Biloxi Public School District.”
Fellow student Savannah Miller added onto Madamidola’s point, noting how as they have progressed, each of them has grown in their familiarity with working in a media atmosphere.
“ We always have like a deadline that we have to work up to, which is typical in journalism and media stuff,” Miller said. “But also for us, getting used to using editing software and going out and talking to people is important. It helps to prepare you if you want that kind of career.”
Above all else, what Carson and her students take into priding themselves on the most is their communication and passion for each another. They are able to work through situations and discuss ideas together, allowing for effective work and decision making.
“ It’s been amazing we’re not just classmates, we’re like a family,” said student Sadie Kate Cooksey. When sharing her perspective on the camaraderie between her and her fellow students, Cooksey made a point that the support structure in TribeTV is a key to their success.
“We communicate very well and we’re open with each other and I think we all, we’re all kind of like talking about our ideas and how we can all like use it and compromise with everything,” she said. “At the end of the day, we’re everybody supportive of everybody.”
Carson gives the credit to her students, wanting them to transform TribeTV the way they see fit for its style.
“Sosuke is a fearless leader who keeps everyone on track each week,” Carson said. “It’s been fun to watch this group as a whole get to make TribeTV what they wanted it to be.”
As for how TribeTV will continue and develop, Carson explained that she believes they have found the right program model, and also have reputable support behind them to boost their broadcasts and grow the operation.
“ The way that these kids have it set up is I think a sustainable model,” Carson said. Our partnership with BTV has given us a little bit more visibility. And our credibility with the school board and our business office has had them reach out and say that if there were things we needed for the classroom or newsroom that they’ll help me build that as well.
TribeTV is airing daily on BTV at 6:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 6:30 PM, which now is also including a monthly broadcast. It can be found on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram as well, where the students are continuing to both hone their journalism skills while growing the brand for Biloxi schools.
