Woodside creators get recognition around campus, but they could always use more.
Band members, Paw Print staff members, and students in video production work hard. They create and produce art and media to entertain and inform students. In fact, Woodside is the only school in the district that live streams announcements every day.
A producer in CTE advanced digital filmmaking discussed a balance between effort and reward.
“I honestly put in a lot of work, because it’s stuff I can use for my future,” senior Nia Nau said. “Sometimes I’m filming on the weekends and editing at home. It’s definitely a lot of work, but it’s the most rewarding job.”
Nau believes digital film students receive appreciation for their hard work.
“People text me or say, ‘I saw you on the announcements today’ or ‘You did really well on that video,’ and it makes all the work worth it,” Nau stated. “It definitely feels like we are appreciated.”
A big part of both CTE digital communications and CTE advanced digital filmmaking is the school’s film festival. Later in the school year, student projects are displayed in the PAC, where other classes go to watch.
“I feel people think it’s going to be bad, but the attendance is usually pretty good,” Nau says. “I think people will be surprised because we have some talented filmmakers this year.”
Another important group of Woodside creators is the members of the music department. The orchestra, jazz band, and marching band put in a lot of hard work to bring students enjoyment and pump us up at games and events.
“Besides class time spent learning music, we practice over the summer as well as sometimes after-school and Saturdays,” senior marching band member Conner Engel stated.
With all that time and effort they put into practice, do these performers get the audience they deserve?
“There is usually a large attendance [at games],” Engel stated. “When we have our own performances, the PAC becomes somewhat full, but it is mostly made up of parents. To me, I would feel better about the attendance if more students actually showed up.”
The marching band benefits from recognition as they perform at pep rallies and sporting events.
“I think our work is, for the most part, appreciated,” Engel stated. “However, I would say the band plays more for themselves because it is something that we are passionate about, rather than for others. [On] school days after football games, we often hear people humming songs we were playing at the football game, which at least makes me feel somewhat appreciated.”
The Paw Print is a student-run news publication that is available to all students. Senior James Gilbrand checks in with the Paw Print around two to three times a week.
“I like stories about school sports, because I like looking for my friends names and keeping up with our teams,” Gilbrand stated.
The Paw Print is linked to the school’s website and is often highlighted in weekly announcements, but is not heavily promoted aside from that.
“I think the Paw Print is a little underground, [because] I don’t know that many people who read it as much as I do,” Gilbrand said.
It’s important for students to recognize the hard work Woodside creators put into their projects.
“For the most part, the band always puts the music first,” Engel Says. “We put a large amount of work learning music and practicing.”
