Published October 3, 2024
BY ALEXANDER FREDERICK
The Carmel Schools FOCUS Foundation held its annual event on Sept. 14, awarding Teacher of the Year grants to Carmel High School educators Brian Granbery and Holly Lederle, while PBS NewsHour was present to talk about their Student Reporting Labs, a student journalism training program that connects young people to real-world experiences and educators to resources and community.
The Teacher of the Year awards were introduced by FOCUS last year. Last year, Granbery, funded by FOCUS, took the CHS Film Club to a workshop and competition in Los Angeles and participated in a Student Television Network competition. Lederle leads cross-curricular art shows and contributes to the annual Art Expo, a festival to celebrate local excellence in art. Rachelle Bellanger, a reading instructor at Captain Cooper Elementary School, took the initiative to encourage other staff members to complete a 500-hour staff training program.
Leah Clapman, the executive director of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs, speaks about the _On Our Minds_ podcast. (photo by ALEXANDER FREDERICK)
Present at the event to represent PBS NewsHour was executive director of PBS Education Leah Clapman, who spoke about Student Reporting Labs, the award-winning student journalism program and their goals to connect with local students.
“Student Reporting Labs is a hands-on video training program that connects young people to real-world experiences and educators to resources and community,” says Clapman.
Over the past decade, PBS NewsHour’s Student Reporting Labs has hosted more than 100 student-produced stories. At the event, Clapman introduced PBS’ new project, a podcast called “On Our Minds,” specifically highlighting the upcoming topic for students: “Who Inspires Us?”
At the event, FOCUS president and board chair Devon Crews expressed hopes of creating a partnership between CHS’ thriving visual arts program and the award-winning Student Reporting Labs. The day prior to the event, representatives from PBS NewsHour toured the local high school to learn more about the visual arts programs.
The next step FOCUS is looking to take with PBS NewsHour is to work with future photographers and filmmakers at CHS. Crews hopes to collaborate with the robust visual arts program at CHS to provide resources to students.
Teacher of the Year Brian Granbery received the award for his work with the Carmel High School film club. (photo by ALEXANDER FREDERICK)
“It’s always good for students to be connected to professional resources,” says Lederle. “It’s really exciting!”
FOCUS will also be helping to fund the Art Expo.
“Programs and projects begin as an idea in the mind of one of our wonderful teachers, and the Carmel Schools FOCUS Foundation supports them in bringing their vision to fruition,” explains Crews.
Crews also announced a new Svendsgaard Scholarship program, in honor of Lars and Hilda Svendsgaard, who made notable gifts to FOCUS in the past, for standout CUSD students. The scholarship includes financial aid packages, and a unique feature of the program is that recipients are matched with local mentors who work in the field the student is interested in and will provide college and career advice.
“The Svendsgaard Scholarship will help our high school graduates continue their education and pursue meaningful careers,” says Crews.
FOCUS has a long legacy of donating to the Carmel School District. According to their website, the organization has contributed more than $3 million to students and schools in the Carmel area through scholarships and grants.
