Superintendent of Perry Township Schools
I have the honor and the good fortune to interact with students from all aspects of our curricular offerings.
Most recently, I attended a performance called “The Big Fish” at Perry Meridian High School, where the talent and acting were amazing.
I watched a baseball game between Perry Meridian and Southport high schools go down to the final inning. These young men played their hearts out.
I was also invited on stage at the phenomenal induction ceremony for Southport’s National Honor Society. The speeches were delivered with conviction and passion.
Periodically, I am invited to serve as a guest speaker on our radio station at Perry Meridian. I believe that one of the best-kept secrets in Perry Township Schools is the station – Falcon Web Radio – which has evolved over the past several years.
Perry Meridian is a perfect example of how students can take the practical experience of working in radio and push it to a computer platform where there are so many options for radio to exist. This format gives students that one-on-one experience of talking into a microphone to speak to an audience that could be 12 or 12,000. The program is available to anyone who has a computer.
Students generate the content under the guidance of their advisers and are enrolled in mass media/radio production or part of the extracurricular club. Mr. Swengel serves as the instructor and also oversees the club for students who cannot fit the course into their schedule or just find it enjoyable to be part of the station.
Madison VanWinkle commented, “This course has strengthened my academic experience by giving me the opportunity to perform a job that I hope to do one day professionally. I have taken on many responsibilities and have worked closely with my peers and Mr. Swengel to treat and run Falcon Web Radio just as any professional radio station would operate.”
Madison said she’s learned a great deal about the radio and entertainment industry, along with improving her writing, communication and task-management abilities.
Claire Finke serves as the program director and disc jockey. She has interviewed me on several occasions about the referendum process to dress codes in school. Claire reports that Falcon Web Radio has allowed her to explore her passion for leadership and music with the opportunities and friends who she would never have had in any other clubs at school.
The station is a dream come true for Mr. Swengle, who is truly dedicated to the station. He is an outstanding example of the quality of staff that we have in Perry Township.