Student-Led News Program Grows

Looking for the best way to stay up-to-date with student news at Xavier? Look no further than Xavier in Focus.

The student-led news program, which is written, filmed, and edited by Xavier students, is a new initiative that emerged from conversations within the Student Leadership Council. Xavier in Focus anchor Hank Michels ’16, who is interested in pursuing journalism as a major or minor in college, said he joined the council’s news committee in order to improve school-wide communication.

“I wanted to help Student Council communicate better with the rest of the student body,” Michels recalled. “After a few months of discussion, we explored the idea of a video option and were able to get the program going.”

The filming of Xavier in Focus has featured all the stops and starts of the digital age (the second edition, for instance, was filmed on an HD phone), but the student journalists are committed to developing a more refined, professional look. Director Michael Popovech ’16 said Vice President Daniel Dougherty offered helpful feedback after the first Xavier in Focus edition was launched, and Spanish teacher Vicente Vargas advised students about camera angles and lighting for the most recent edition. Editor Carson Coronel ‘16 is now lending his equipment and skills to Xavier in Focus, with excellent results.

“I love filming, and I realized that I can use my equipment and skills to make the production as good as possible,” Coronel said. “I enjoy creating a set of ideas and collaborating with multiple people to make these ideas possible.”

Popovech said he and his fellow student journalists are committed to making Xavier in Focus a permanent fixture on 16th Street. Next year, they hope to increase the number of Xavier in Focus segments, identify dedicated on-campus space for filming, and carve out production time during the school day.

The Xavier in Focus crew is eager to expand, with a particular need for skilled writers, Popovech said. Students interested in participating should see Student Leadership Council co-moderator Johanna Tanzman or email her at tanzmanj@xavierhs.org.