WT Offers 'Networking' skills

By Martin C. Bricketto
mbricketto@sjnewsco.com

WASHINGTON TWP. -- There was no "wading" period for Jarod Voll when he started at Temple University as a broadcast media student.

He jumped right into the deep end.

The 25-year-old photographer and editor with FOX 29 credits that to his experience in a television production program offered by Washington Township High School.

"The facilities that the high school had rivaled those of the university," Voll said. "To this day, they've got more to play with over there than a lot of colleges."

Voll is one of several success stories to come out of the program. Many alumni have budding professional careers in a variety of television settings, including network news affiliates, nationally syndicated shows and local media.

Becky Horvath, 22, felt equally well prepared when she began attending New York University and using its television studio.

"The class in high school totally put me ahead of the game because we were doing all the same things," Horvath said.

These days, Horvath is an assistant to the executive producer on "Martha" -- home design guru Martha Stewart's new daytime television show.

According to teacher Marty Bouchard, the program started in 1991. What was then a basic television-production course with some graphics and communication components has since expanded to nine sections of curriculum including "Monthly Rewind" -- a show put together by high school seniors that airs on Channel 13.

Bouchard said he keeps in touch with many of his former students.

"It's cool to see them go and come back and be enthused about what they're doing," Bouchard said. "I'm lucky."

Recently, Bouchard even played a role in one of his former students' independent films -- "Township," directed by Rowan senior Michael Licisyn.

It's no secret why the high school program keeps fostering tomorrow's television professionals, Bouchard says.

"We're moving into an information society as opposed to a manufacturing society, and there's a lot more people doing things that are communications related," Bouchard explained.

His former students are not all in TV production. "Others went into radio, public relations and advertising," he said. "This led them into it."

For 22-year-old Joelle Ciampaglia, a graphics coordinator with NBC 40 in Atlantic City who also works for FOX 29, Bouchard was a teacher but also a friend "completely willing to let the students live there and work late."

Ciampaglia, a friend of Voll's, said that knowing "Rewind" alumni has not only helped her make professional connections but that having the show on her resume also opened doors in college.

"I was a freshman and going out on assignments by myself, editing by myself," Ciampaglia said. "You can definitely tell the kids who have had the high school experience when they come into college."