Strive TV, a teen-driven digital media outlet for San Benito County youth, is an idea that grew out of the Youth Alliance’s Youth Advocacy Group. “This is a youth council that we have had in the past that was created with the notion of empowering youth to make positive change and impact in their community. StriveTV is the evolution of this group,” said Jason Franks, one of the coordinators of the group. “We believed that utilizing digital media, while leveraging the power and reach of social networks, was an even better vehicle to engage more youth and strengthen their voice here in San Benito County and beyond.”
This enterprise has also become a club at SBHS this year. “(Baler graduate) Katherine Becerra and myself sat down to name and brand the club back in late August 2014. We then began planning, promoting and recruiting for our launch event, which took place at Mars Hill Coffeehouse on San Benito Street on Oct. 18,” Franks said.
This club is open to students between the ages of 13-18. “Because our club meetings take place on the SBHS campus, it is currently limited to SBHS students. However, we will continue to explore other meeting areas and times as outside interest continues to grow,” said Becerra.
While the StriveTV group has modest in numbers for now, while promoting for the launch event, 150 students signed up for its mailing list. The club leaders are confident that the numbers will grow as they continue to produce more content and proceed through the year.
The club has Franks, Becerra, SBHS multimedia teacher Rob Campbell, and David Gutierrez heading the group.
“Currently, SBHS students Denisse Hernandez, Daniel Perry, Jeanette Schneider, and Krystal Caporgno have all contributed articles and videos or are currently in the process of covering stories to be published by year-end,” said Franks.
Becerra added, “Our club engages and empowers youth in our community by amplifying their voice and giving them a platform to express the opinions and concerns of themselves and their peers.”
StriveTV offers an outlet for students to share, learn, and report on issues that are affecting them, their peers, and their community. “We provide access to and training on the equipment and skills necessary to blog, document, record, report, and interview around these issues,” said Franks.
The StriveTV club meets at lunch in Campbell’s Room 224 and Wednesdays after school in the same location.
For more information visit Strive TV online at www.striveTV.com and follow it on Twitter @StriveTV.