- April 16, 2024
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FPCHS students Palmer Guthrie and Ansley Cestare get ready to anchor the Friday morning news broadcast. Photo by Paige Wilson
FPCHS students Eryn Harris, Justin Cestare and Jasmine Green work in the control room during the broadcast. Photo by Paige Wilson
Teacher Tracey Hicks with students Lucas Mann, America Hill, Eryn Harris, Imani Green, Palmer Guthrie, Logan Cestare, Jasmine Green, Justin and Ansley Cestare and Faith Proctor. Photo by Paige Wilson
FPCHS students Logan Cestare, America Hill and Clayton Carson run the camera. Carson motions to the anchors to look at his camera next. Photo by Paige Wilson
Senior Justin Cestare works as the technical director during the broadcast. Photo by Paige Wilson
FPCHS junior Jasmine Green poses with TV Production teacher Tracey Hicks. Green transferred to FPC this year to continue under the direction of Hicks. Photo by Paige Wilson
When the clock strikes 8 a.m. every school day, a group of Flagler Palm Coast High School students are in their positions in the TV Production classroom: ready for lights, camera, action.
The morning of Friday, Oct. 12, anchors Ansley Cestare and Palmer Guthrie sported tropical attire to suit the Homecoming Week theme of the day while they sat behind the news desk. Logan Cestare, America Hill and Clayton Carson were stationed behind the three cameras on set — ready to roll. Justin Cestare, Eryn Harris and Jasmine Green were in the control room, with headsets on and eyes peeled on the countdown for the daily live news broadcast.
Teacher Tracey Hicks wasn’t in the production room micromanaging; she knows this group of students knows how to run the show.
“When they go out into this industry, they’re not going to have a babysitter,” Hicks said. “They have to be self-sufficient, and if they can do that now, then they can transfer that when they leave.”
After teaching TV Production at Matanzas High School for eight years, Hicks transferred to the FPCHS program this fall, as the MHS TV Production class ended “based on student participation,” said Flagler Schools Community Information Specialist Jason Wheeler.
“It was just a blessing that the teacher here decided to move to another state,” Hicks said. “It’s been really good because these students are definitely all in. They’re interested in the industry, they give 100%, they make me give 150%, and it’s good because they’re serious about it, and I think they understand what the bigger picture is.”
Junior Jasmine Green transferred to FPC as soon as she found out her favorite teacher, Mrs. Hicks, was going across town.
“She cares about her students,” Green said about Hicks. “She cares about not just their work ethic, but she cares about their personal lives, too. She’ll come up and ask how you’re doing. That’s what I love most about her.”
Green said she’s passionate about TV Production, which is her only class at FPC, since she’s fully dual-enrolled. She’s been working behind the scenes so far, but she’ll soon be an anchor.
“I know that I want to be in this field,” she said. “But I’m not exactly sure what part yet. That’s why I’m in it right now, so I can figure out what I love most. But becoming a director would be pretty cool.”
Hicks has about 150 students in the program, split into five classes. Students learn how to film and edit public service announcements, create short and long films to prepare for festivals, cover campus activates and even offer their services as a crew for local businesses. A 30-second commercial is $300 for interested businesses.
A trio of siblings are in the first-period class, but they all have different passions within the program.
After starting a TV Production program at Indian Trails Middle School, Ansley Cestare auditioned to become an anchor in the FPC program while she was still in eighth grade.
“I just found my passion here being in front of the camera,” she said. “I also love behind the scenes; I edit, I film, I do audio. You name it, I probably do it.”
Her brother Justin Cestare, a senior at FPC, started in the program in his sophomore year after getting an injury as a football player.
“I kind of realized I fell in love with TV production more than I ever did with football,” he said. “I’m always here, and even when I’m not here, I’m thinking about ways I can better the program.”
Sophomore Logan Cestare joined the program after hearing positive notes about it from Justin.
“TV Production has definitely helped me learn my personal management skills and know what I need to improve and what I’m already good at,” he said.
