Lights, camera, opportunity: Inside Pankow’s broadcast media program
At the Frederick V. Pankow Center, students in the TV and Broadcast Media Program don’t just learn about the news — they make it. From filming local stories to producing professional-quality broadcasts, these young journalists and creators are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for careers in media, film, and beyond.
For nearly two decades, Pankow’s Broadcast Program has earned a reputation as one of the top high school programs in Michigan. Its students have won state and national awards through the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the Meijer Great Choices Film Festival, the Courageous Persuaders competition, and the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. Many have even gone on to build careers as producers, directors, editors, anchors, and digital media artists — proof that this program is a launching pad for big futures.
One of the program’s strongest partnerships is with PBS News Student Reporting Labs (SRL), a national journalism initiative connecting students with public media professionals. Pankow students have had multiple stories air on PBS NewsHour, reaching over six million viewers nationwide. Through SRL, students have also traveled across the country to film, interview, and report on issues that matter to their generation.
Inside Pankow’s broadcast studio, students have access to a professional-grade learning environment that mirrors a real newsroom. Each student has their own workstation equipped with a new iMac computer, camera, microphone, and tripod. They edit using Adobe Premiere Pro, the same software used in professional studios, and gain technical experience that sets them apart in the industry.
The studio itself is a creative hub buzzing with energy. Students film on a large green-screen set, produce podcasts in two recording spaces — one a roundtable setup and the other a casual “couch-style” layout — and manage a fully functional control room connected to the school auditorium. From there, they operate cameras, switchers, and live stream more than 100 community events each year on the LCPS-TV YouTube channel.
The projects students create are as diverse as their talents. From mini-documentaries and personality profiles to music videos, commercials, and public service announcements, every assignment challenges them to tell a story that connects with an audience. Their weekly newscast, CreuseLine, is the heart of the program — a student-produced show that highlights youth voices and community stories across the L’Anse Creuse district.
CreuseLine gives students a front-row seat to the world of journalism. At the news desk, they’ve interviewed local politicians, state representatives, a U.S. Congressman, and even a U.S. Senator. Whether they’re in front of the camera anchoring a segment or behind the scenes editing footage and directing live shots, students learn to collaborate under deadline pressure — the ultimate test of professionalism and poise.
What makes the program stand out is its commitment to real-world experience. Students aren’t just learning about broadcast production; they’re doing it. Every live stream, podcast, and newscast builds the technical confidence and storytelling ability they’ll need in college and future media careers. Along the way, they also learn teamwork, leadership, communication, and adaptability — skills that extend far beyond the studio.
The Broadcast Media Program at Pankow is proof that high school students can do professional-level work when given the right tools, guidance, and creative freedom. Each project becomes a portfolio piece, each story a stepping-stone toward a future in journalism, film, or digital media.
Article provided by L’Anse Creuse Public Schools for publication in the Macomb Daily.
