TEXARKANA, Ark. - Arkansas High School's Razorback TV News has been recognized by the Student Television Network for earning the program's third consecutive Broadcast Excellence Award.
While RTV teacher Michael Westbrook said it's always an honor to receive this recognition, this particular year brought challenges that made it even more special than usual to him and his students.
"The first two years we won it, they had categories," Westbrook said. "There would be like five winners per region in five different categories. What they found was happening is some schools were only producing one show and just submitting it. The kids were still producing good work, but it wasn't what you would consider consistent.
"It's such a big organization and such a prestigious honor, and they wanted to make it a little more difficult, so they said you know what, we're not doing categories anymore. Just show us what your program is about, some of the variety of work you've done and we're going to judge you based on your entire program."
While 20-30 schools were typically recognized annually, there were only 12 this time around. So RTV members expanded their efforts and put more emphasis on a variety of productions - like their podcasts, which are on Spotify monthly.
This is in addition to their already-present platforms, like their monthly show and weekly RTV News show, which usually would be live-streamed, but with COVID regulations present are posted to Facebook and YouTube.
"It made the students work a little bit harder," Westbrook said. "We put an emphasis on a variety of different productions, and it allowed us to showcase a variety of things we do here. It stressed us out a little more, but in the end, it means a little bit more to us knowing that it's not just one show. It really is the body of work."
Westbrook, who's in his fifth year at AHS, credited his students for the time and effort they've put into developing a successful program.
"I've had a lot of really great students come through here, and students who have really bought in to what we're trying to accomplish," he said. "So first and foremost, I'm really thankful for the ones who have a passion to be here and want to work hard and accomplish something positive. That means a lot."
With three straight Broadcast Excellence Awards, being named the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association All-Arkansas Award winner last year and many more recognitions in the books, he said they try to stick to the formula that has worked - consistency.
"Everything we do, we try to make it real examples, and we try to be professional with it," he said. "We want to give them something on their resume that, if they're trying to go to college for this or if they want to go try to get a job, they've got some real experience here. One of the best things you can teach a young person is consistency. And I think what this shows about our program is that we are consistent in our pursuit of excellence."