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Students run Carter's new public relations department

By ED MARCUM, [log in to unmask]
April 13, 2005

If a business can have a public relations department, why can't a school?

Just like a business, a school needs to present itself to the public. In fact, if it wants to count on support from parents and community, it needs some sort of organized way to get its message out.

These were some of the ideas that led Carter High School Principal Cheryl Hickman and teacher Don Campbell, former head of the Tennessee Press Association, to start a public relations department at the school. But there is a twist: The department is student-run by members of the Senior Projects Class.

"The object of the Senior Projects Class is to do a project in which the students can pull together everything they have been learning," Hickman said. "And with this project, they are filling a real need for our school. This is something that our staff and teachers would just not have the time to do."

Campbell, who is in charge of students picked for the project, serves as adviser while they publish newsletters, produce videos, send out press releases, organize events and generally do what is needed to promote the school.

These students also work closely with the Carter Corps, an organization of parents, businesses and others committed to supporting the school. The students arrange Carter Corps meetings and publish a newsletter to keep parents and others informed about school happenings and needs.

The school launched both programs this school year, and is on its second team of five students for the publicity effort. Samantha Niva, Stacy Stiles, Joshua Brabson and Logan Black made up the first-semester publicity staff. Aaron Kiser, Daniel Snider, Chris Martin, Brett Bivens and Josh Hudgens are the staff members now.

Campbell said he picks students based on their potential to fill the particular needs of the staff. Students pitch in where needed, but usually each has a specialty or two. Aaron generally handles photography. Daniel does video work, Chris is a writer, Brett works with computer graphics, and Josh organizes events and handles contacts with the public.

They all collaborate on the newsletter. Called the Carter Corps News, it is published quarterly and is a forum for school news and opportunities for parents to volunteer. The spring issue includes stories about the Carter Corps formation, the school's accreditation efforts, school sports and the school scholars bowl team placing in the top four in the state.

When Carter High officials decided to seek accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the Senior Projects Class shot video and still photography, interviewed students, teachers and administrators and produced a video, which the students showed to SACS representatives, about the school's improvement plan.

"They were all greatly impressed by the video," Hickman said.

Now the Senior Projects Class is starting to learn Web site development, Campbell said. While it tries to fulfill a need for the school, the Senior Projects Class is also in need of help for supplies and equipment and is looking for companies that can help out with such things as computer equipment, Campbell said.

Despite all the things it does, the Senior Projects Class has a low profile in the school, perhaps because the class is so small. Class members recalled a student who wandered into the classroom one day and saw only Duncan and the five students.

"Is this a class or what?" she asked.

Aaron said students are starting to ask about the class, though, and some even want to join.

"A lot of students know about us, but they don't know what all we do," he said.

For information on Carter Corps, call the school at 865-933-3434.

Ed Marcum may be reached at 865-342-6267.