During the 2025-26 school year, the program received two grants from the Youth Advisory Council as well as the Wilson H. Craig Jr. grant through the Barry Community Foundation. These funds were instrumental in purchasing updated and advanced equipment for different projects.
Some of the items purchased with the grant funds include four new cameras and lens kits, two Mac mini computers with docking stations, camera stabilizer, audio broadcast headsets and other equipment for livestreaming events and creating inhouse video projects.
Digital media teacher Derek Dean said he’s excited about the opportunities for his students using the new equipment not only to film events to share with the community, but also to be creative in making their own productions.
Dean said he wants the class to provide students the skills they need to gain industry experience. In addition to recent projects like filming the 8th grade Breakfast of Champions and the Class 0f 2026 grad walk through all the buildings, students have also been working on productions including The TroZone (Sportscenter Themed show), TK Talk podcast, Sports Media Days, and livestream events like the 2026 graduation ceremony. Their work can often be seen on the new large screen in Bob White stadium before, during and after events.
Interest has grown in the class as well. Enrollment in the class climbed from 75 in the intro and advanced classes in 2024-25 to an expected 130-plus students for the 2026-27 school year.
As the program continues to grow, Dean said he hopes students will acquire skills they need to allow them to work as a freelance videographer and use their talents to support the schools and projects within the community.