By Steffen Klenk
Just after 8:30 in the morning, students and faculty at Absegami High School are preparing to watch another exciting broadcast of GAMI-TV. Each program begins with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a student-made intro and morning announcements, along with a look at the day’s weather, high school sports reports, entertainment updates, and interviews on relevant topics.
Behind the scenes, it’s the students of Absegami’s media program that make the production come to life. From being in the control room operating the teleprompter or running graphics, to operating camera equipment, recording voice-overs, and sitting at the desk, up to fifteen students are not only playing a pivotal role in each live broadcast but are also getting hands-on, real-world experience.
“Since my COVID year, I wanted to get involved with media.” Ben Capp is a senior at Absegami and the Media Club president. He found an interest in broadcasting during his freshman year and has quickly put his newfound skills to use, learning how to utilize the technology and stream live events. “I think it’s one of the best media programs in the district, if not the county.”
Michael Piotrowski is the current media director at Absegami High School. He graduated in 1993 and was taught by former educator Ed Johnson, who was pivotal in bringing TV media to the district. “The studio looked nothing like it does today. He spent so much time putting his heart and soul into this,” Piotrowski commented.
During his tenure, Johnson gave his students the opportunity to build necessary communication skills by interviewing some of the biggest celebrities that appeared in Atlantic City, from actors and singers to legendary comedians. “I decided that we’re going to give our students interview skills as well as the camera skills.”
His students even had to interview every contestant in the Miss America Pageant. “Many of the contestants were coming to Atlantic City for the first time, and my students were doing the first interviews, so it was a perfect match.”
Piotrowski’s career began at WMGM-TV 40, during the station’s long-storied affiliation with NBC. He conducted interview packages for their evening news broadcast before taking up a role in teaching. “I was ready to move to California, and I said, ‘I’ll either go to L.A. or teach.’” Today, he oversees the school’s media department.
Killian Wagner, a sophomore, says he has gained newfound knowledge from the media program. “It’s like a family; we all respect each other, and even if we have bad days, we work through it. We have that level of determination.”
Throughout its forty-year history, Absegami’s media program has received much notoriety. In recent years, the department received 1st Place in Broadcast Journalism and 3rd Place for Best Public Service Announcement at the New Jersey Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Leadership Conference. The students have also received recognition from AtlantiCare for their PSAs on staying healthy in the winter and healthy eating.
For alumni at Absegami High School, the knowledge and information gained from the studios at GAMI-TV have transformed into real-world success. Several of their former students have attained careers in the vast field of media. One of those students is Arielle Schaffer, who began her broadcasting career at SEC Network while attending the University of Alabama at age 19. Currently, she is a sports reporter for CBS affiliate WIAT in Birmingham, Ala. “Piotrowski is a good person to rely on for advice. He’s been there and he knows how tough the industry is.”
Other notable alumni include Galloway’s own Mara Justine, who participated in the media program before rising to fame as an acclaimed singer on “America’s Got Talent” and NBC’s “The Voice”. Other graduates are currently working for companies such as CNBC, Food Network, the Miami Dolphins, Netflix, Hard Rock, Resorts, Longport Media, and Weist-Barron-Ryan Acting Workshops and Casting, among others.
As for senior Ben Capp, while he has not decided on which college to attend, he’s setting his sights on a future career in the production industry. “My dream job is to be in the control room of the ‘Today Show’ one day.”
In recent years, the school’s media program has implemented new technology to bring in-house programming to viewers throughout the country. Gami TV on YouTube currently broadcasts live sporting events, including Absegami Braves basketball, wrestling, esports, and concerts. Viewers can also watch replays of the morning announcements online by going to www.absegami.net. Scroll to the Menu tab, click on Clubs and Activities, and then click on Media Club.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
