Lights, camera, spirit: Valentine High hosts first Media Day

VALENTINE, Neb. - Experience—it’s a buzzword for businesses in this digital age. From restaurants perfecting food presentation to boutiques hosting special events, businesses are finding creative ways to pull people away from their screens and into their spaces. Sporting events are no exception.

Media Days are a staple for professional and collegiate sports, but how about for Nebraska high schools?

“I think it’s really to hype us up for the season,” said Freshman Reegan Eggert.

Eggert is taking part in Valentine’s first-ever Media Day, where the school’s broadcasting class is capturing videos and photos they can post on social media.

“I was just thinking , ‘What if we do a Media Day to get more pictures that we can use for more interactive posts?’” said broadcasting student Katelyn Bitner. 

“This is a great way to get students involved and help spread school spirit,” said broadcasting student Maeli Patterson.                         

In addition to social media, the pictures and videos will also go up on the new video scoreboard during games.

“This is the first year we decided to do these videos with the new scoreboard, so it will be fun,” said broadcasting student Courtney Billings.

“We’re going to have amazing videos to put on our scoreboard,” said Patterson.

It’s part of a growing trend across all levels of sports, where teams are incorporating more unique experiences to draw in fans. 

“I think school spirit, like having the students excited to do this, helps a lot,” said Bitner.

Spirit that will hopefully win over more fans and athletes.

“We have a lot more girls this year in wrestling, and I think our team is going to do really well,” said Eggert.

A new season kicking off with the team’s first Media Day.