GC TV, radio helps students build confidence beyond the classroom

Beyond the TV studios, the state-of-the art equipment and the radio shows, there is one simple outcome that resonates with almost every student who takes a Greenfield-Central High School media class.

Many students say the program has inspired them to come out of their shell.

If building confidence is all the classes do, teachers Max Holtzclaw and Jonathan Hudson are glad. 

But that’s certainly not the whole story.

From public speaking and teamwork, to community service and technical training, the broadcasting courses at GCHS go beyond typical classroom instruction to teach skills that will stay with students for life.

And local students are grateful.

Take Dakota Hamilton, for example. The GC senior was curious about sports broadcasting so he took a class just to check it out. 

Kind of a “blow-off class at first,” he admits, but he discovered it was anything but.

“The more I took it I was like, ‘Wow, I really like this stuff,’” Hamilton said.

Soon he’ll be heading to Ball State University to study sports broadcasting.

“I really like the way it gets you out of your comfort zone; I was a really shy person before I came,” he said. “The more you do (interviews), the nerves go away and then talking with people in general is easier.”

Hamilton’s story is similar to many GC students who have been inspired to explore communications thanks to GCHS. Hamilton is grateful for his teachers: Holtzclaw has a laid-back vibe that encourages creativity and independence. Hudson inspires.

“When you make mistakes, he’s going to push you to make you better,” Hamilton said.

The GCHS radio program began nearly 27 years ago with founder Tim Renshaw of WRGF-89.7 FM. The radio station that started in 1999 continues today, and the school’s broadcasting programs have evolved over the years to also include TV, YouTube, podcasts and more. 

Bill McKenna, the other founder of the program who joined in 2002, has since retired but he’s grateful for his two decades of teaching students at GC and  getting them to try new things.

“Most times trying is more than enough,” McKenna said. “I never met a student who was not a genius at something. It’s our job to help them realize just how great they are.”

Today, the team of Holtzclaw and Hudson are helping students realize their potential.

Jonathan Hudson has been teaching at GCHS for 13 years, coming from a media background and having created commercials for multiple businesses. He is currently also an assistant director with a business that creates projects for nonprofits and businesses in the Indianapolis area.

Max Holtzclaw is a GCHS alumni, having graduated in 2014. While he worked in sports broadcasting after attending Ball State, Holtzclaw was grateful to recently come back to GC and says his sarcastic nature fits in well with students. 

Together, the teaching team’s professional experience makes the GC program special: not every high school has teachers with a background and connections in the industry. GC students were even able to assist with a Doritos commercial at the high school football field last year, and have helped create films.

The program is located in the very center of the school, spanning eight rooms that include two TV studios, a live radio studio, a podcast studio and classroom instruction space.

Classes include Principles of Broadcasting, AVP Essentials, Mass Media and Radio/TV Capstone. 

Equipment includes three drones, multiple cinematic cameras, high-speed iMacs with professional editing software and numerous light kits. Studio B was created in 2024 thanks to the expansion of the program. In total, roughly 80 students are in such classes, including five capstone students that are making in-depth documentaries as a final senior project.

Many of the videos students create can be seen on YouTube. Promotional videos– called “Cougar Chat”– highlight teachers and programs across Greenfield-Central schools. Hudson said young children are always eager to see themselves on YouTube.

“The kids are just excited when the cameras come in (the classroom),” he said, chuckling. “Everything you see in Cougar Chat is 100% authentic. We don’t stage anything.”

Young GC children are already getting interested in broadcast programs, and an inaugural summer camp in 2025 for fifth- through eighth-graders was successful.

Capstone projects by seniors explore the school and local community in-depth. Claire Gardner, for example, is creating a documentary about the successful band program, and exploring how elementary music instruction feeds into the program by teaching children about music at a young age. 

Cailey Michalisko even shared her capstone project at the GC school board meeting in February, showcasing how Harris Elementary School partners with community groups and parents.

Starting next school year, capstone courses will be even longer allowing for even more exploration into media production.

Students also give back to the Greenfield community by creating videos for local nonprofit organizations, like Greenfield Main Street and Meals on Wheels. 

“It’s a point of emphasis for us,” Hudson said of community connections. “If you live in this town, if you learn these skills, you’ve got to give back to the community.”

Juniors Haylee White and Ash Turner are grateful the media classes give them creativity and independence. Turner, who has fiddled with YouTube videos in the past, says she’s discovered her passion and has realized that she loves to make documentaries now.

White is thinking about becoming a teacher one day, but loves broadcasting too.

“I appreciate the creative freedom that we have; we can really just go around the school and the community,” White said. “At the beginning, (the teachers) are really  hard on you but they’re really just pushing to see the best in you.”

Passing experience on from the real world is what makes the GC program so unique, Holtzclaw said. Some students may simply gain confidence in public speaking and communication, while others may decide to go into media production after high school. But the fact that both Holtzclaw and Hudson have a background in media production– as did the respected teachers that came before them– helps students learn and grow.

“We take what we’ve learned from our time doing this work and show our students exactly what to expect that way,” Holtzclaw said. “It’s a unique dynamic that not all other programs have the luxury of having.”

Dr. Harold Olin, superintendent of GC schools, said both Holtzclaw and Hudson are amazing professionals that establish great relationships with their students while bringing real-world experience to the courses.

Historically, GC is very fortunate to have the space, technology and staff to offer both TV and radio, Olin added. In the early years, the city of Greenfield provided financial support. 

“In 2015, the City pulled their support, and NineStar Connect quickly jumped in to fill the funding gap,” Olin said. “I am very thankful to Mike Burrow, David Spencer and John Painter for all they have done to assist us.”

Funding from NineStar helps keep equipment modern and courses relevant.

“Our students are given opportunities to be project managers,” Olin said. “They are writing scripts, directing cast members and using their creative skills to document great things that are happening in the schools and larger community.”

Hudson, who spends much of his time assisting seniors with their capstone projects, says it’s an honor to help them choose interview questions and take their lead on the types of shots they want to capture. 

Students gain confidence and real-world experience while helping their community.

“Students learn how to connect with their community, teaching them the importance of being dependable,” Hudson said. “Capstone students have a community partnership, whether that’s a nonprofit organization, business, or school in our district, students take the responsibility of creating media for their placements. The community connection for us is crucial. We feel it’s important to utilize the important technical and communication skills they gain to give back to their own community so the partnerships for our students have been a foremost priority for us. Many former students in the field or in different careers credit radio/TV for helping them ‘come out of their shell.’”

By Maribeth Vaughn