By: Bill Wald
If you are a Green Bay Packer fan, the prospect of taking a trip to Lambeau Field in Green Bay is one filled with excitement and it’s a trek made by thousands of people every season to watch the Green Bay Packers. Thirteen students from the UGHS Broncos Media group made this trip on February 22nd, and were accompanied by their Advisor, Mr. Wald, to attend the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Student Forum and Awards for Excellence event being held for the first time at Lambeau Field.
Each year, the students work with Mr. Wald, their Advisor and Director, to choose video and radio projects for judging in four different news and sports categories. This year, over four hundred students representing 61 high schools and 40 colleges from Wisconsin participated in this event. The video and audio projects submitted for judging are samples of a variety of the News and Sports programming, Live Sports Broadcasts, Spot News and Interviews, and entertaining video and audio projects that the students have created throughout the past year.
A majority of the event took place on the Club Level of Lambeau Field. Every wall and fixture is full of nostalgic memories of the legendary players and coaches that walked the halls and field of these hallowed grounds. The experience of being there in person is one that all fans could only dream about. The day consisted of several workshops that were hosted by many professional broadcasters from TV and radio stations throughout the state. They shared their knowledge and insights on a variety of media related topics, gave advice to students, and answered questions. There was also a job fair and many audio and visual hands-on activities that all students had the opportunity to participate in within the walls of the Lambeau Field Atrium. The keynote speakers for the event were well known and legendary Green Bay Packers broadcasters Larry McCarren and Wayne Larrivee. They were very entertaining and did an amazing job sharing many stories, giving great advice, and sharing their many experiences to all who listened.
After lunch, the Awards For Excellence were announced. It was hosted by Ken Beno, a WBA board member and Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame member. He shared that this year the judges had their hands full, reviewing over 260 entries. Our Broncos Media students work year-round to capture thousands of photographs and videos, not only for competition, but to capture and document the many great things that happen at UGHS and in Broncos Country every day. These images not only help the group create quality news and sports programming, they are the building blocks of the many creative videos and radio projects that inform, and entertain our community with live and pre-recorded programming.
As all of the students listened anxiously, the winners were announced. There were 12 possible awards in the high school division. As the winners were announced, the words “Union Grove High School” would be said by the presenter a total of five times! Excitedly, Broncos Media members went up to accept these awards. Broncos Media would go on to be chosen for two first place awards, two second place, and one third place award in TV and radio. It was definitely a great day to be a Bronco.
Mr. Wald couldn’t have been more proud of the ways those who attended this event represented our community. Our Broncos Media students work extremely hard all year to provide quality digital images and audio. These students don’t join our media group for awards or recognition. They get involved to represent and support their peers while also learning and experiencing the wide variety of media opportunities that are made possible by the support of our school board, administration, and our entire community. Being recognized by the Wisconsin Broadcast Association for creating a quality program is certainly an honor, but for Mr. Wald and the members of Broncos Media the true reward is the pride they take in showing others in the state, and beyond, all of the ways that make it great to be a Bronco.
