BY: Presley Richards /
Sidney Public Schools

SIDNEY - A program at Sidney High School offers students real-world experience in the media profession. 

Sidney Raider Television was started in 2013 by educators Matt McKay and Roger Gallaway. Both McKay and Gallaway help lead the program through teaching, managing and IT. 

Grants and fundraisers helped kick-start the program for cameras, televisions and lights. SRTV also received equipment donations from KNOP-TV in North Platte, including a news desk.

Sophomore Abby Steffens, a student in the SRTV program, calls their studio setup "one of the best in the Panhandle." 

Students learn how to conduct interviews, video edit, record local sporting event, operate a TriCaster and use ThreePlay system. Skills acquired in the SRTV class include communication, podcasting, camera skills, learning how to be in front of and behind the camera, and learning how to use the advanced software involved in broadcasting.

“I prefer being behind the camera, because that's what I'm used to," Steffens said. "I'm familiar with the process of running the behind the scenes stuff. Once I'm more in front of the camera, I will probably enjoy that more."

Students in the SRTV class use three main pieces of equipment in class: TriCaster, ThreePlay and cameras. The TriCaster is used to control what the camera captures and what the viewer is able to see, as well as commercials and replays. ThreePlay records shot clips of whatever is being recorded and can instantly replay that clip on the screen. The cameras used in the SRTV class are controlled by a joystick or arrow keys.

“In my opinion, ThreePlay is easiest to learn,” Steffens said. "It's such a blast working in SRTV. It's a good experience and I do think it's a very possible and realistic career option for my future.”

Students also record a "Raider Rambling" podcast series. The subject of interest in these podcasts is not specific and they're mainly recorded for fun.

SRTV partnered with News Channel Nebraska for the 2020-2021 school year to produce home sporting events on the statewide media company's website to help expand their production, with more plans to grow the relationship in the future. 

View SRTV's work on their website.