It’s lights, camera, action for three Leechburg Area High School students.
Video Club members Eli and Nick Sherbondy and Tucker Spiering have been volunteering their time, broadcasting games on the district’s YouTube sports channel, in response to there being limited or no spectators allowed due to covid-19 restrictions.
“We are very limited on how many spectators at each event due to state mandates,” said Superintendent Tiffany Nix. “They are giving up their time and resources to provide our community with the opportunity to support our sports teams.”
Sporting events broadcast by the trio have included football, basketball and soccer games.
Fans are able to subscribe for free and view the games at home or anywhere their digital devices take them, said Leechburg technology educator Tanya Sherbondy.
“The unexpected benefit of this livestream is the fact that out-of-state relatives and friends can watch their hometown Leechburg team now,” Sherbondy said.
A state-of-the-art studio located in the Creation Nation section of the high school serves as home base for the production team. It offers a studio and editing room.
“I’ve had a lot of fun doing this. I want to make a career out of this,” said Spiering, who plans to pursue a degree in the digital field at Clarion University next fall.
The students are earning required volunteer hours, which amount to 40 hours per student.
“These boys are learning real-life broadcasting and editing experience,” Sherbondy said. “This is like a part-time job for them and they average four to 20 hours per week.” Eli and Nick are Sherbondy’s sons.
Eli Sherbondy handles equipment set-up and works as digital producer. Spiering serves as editor and cameraman, and Nick Sherbondy fills the role of general assistant.
Eighth-grader Nick Sherbondy said the experience is teaching him new skills.
”I’m not even close to an expert on any of this,” Nick Sherbondy said. “I can edit somewhat, and I’m learning how to operate the cameras and tripods.”
Future broadcasts will include spring sports, such as baseball and softball.
