As New Trier students, it’s ingrained in our brains that we’re the best at everything. Our sports teams win state championships, we boast hundreds of club options, the average ACT score is incomparable, and alums have graced the screens of Disney Channel and beyond. There’s a lot to be proud of coming from New Trier.
When we encounter those from surrounding high schools, comments usually consist of the phrase “rich, white kids.” It’s well known that our reputation doesn’t sit well with others. Our credentials can easily inflate our ego, causing us to exude obnoxiousness and arrogance, whether we like it or not.
On April 29, for the first time, I felt inadequate to other schools. Joined by my video production and broadcasting class, I went to the Midwest Media Educators Association (MMEA) Film Festival. This was my first year going, which meant I was going in blind; I had zero expectations.
We arrived at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois around 9 am. The exterior of the school was impressive, however we only stayed in the auditorium section of the building, which was modern, felt comfortable temperature and seating wise, and made our Gaffney auditorium look like trash.
The day began with the broadcast journalism awards. As the announcer read off the winning schools, I noticed that she was also saying their TV channels.
The speaker exclaimed, “1st place for the category of ‘News Package,’ BHS-TV!” Barrington’s section erupted with cheers and then sent someone to the stage to collect their crystal pillar.
‘Do we even have a broadcasting station?’ I wondered. The same thought ran through my head the week prior.
On April 23, I attended the IHSA Journalism sectionals with my fellow editors and competed in the broadcast journalism heat, once again, completely blind. Before entering our editing room, my opponents were chatting about their high schools TV stations. I, however, sat on the side and listen, intrigued and intimidated.
One student from Downers Grove South explained to me his position as the host of the video announcements that are shown in home room every Friday.
I immediately had memories of middle school when it was the coolest thing to be featured on the morning announcements; if video production was your elective that quarter, it was a fight to be an anchor on the show.
The thought of having a New Trier broadcasting studio sounds great. With the diverse personalities in the school, the interviews would be highly entertaining and also insightful.
I know that in the years to come, the Media, Speech and Theatre department looks to expand their facilities and will offer students the choice of taking a variety of classes under the journalism/media umbrella, which will put us on par with surrounding high schools.
Back at the film festival, we had the opportunity to watch small clips from the winning projects. Needless to say, all of the films shown at the MMEA Film Fest left me floored.
That may sound dramatic, but I had to continuously remind myself that this is a student film festival. All writing, filming, and editing was carried out by freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school. This year was my first year dabbling in filmmaking and I can say, firsthand, that it is not easy work. The creativity that goes in to every detail is crucial in determining a decent outcome.
Watching the impressive films on Friday made me wonder what other talent is hidden behind the names of high schools besides our own. It’s great to feel proud that we’re from New Trier, but the perception that we’re incomparable and ‘the best’ needs to go away.
Through two different competitions last month, I’ve had the opportunity to talk to students from all over and see their work through several creative mediums. There are other talented teens out there; we’re not the only ones.