Students at Rocky Mount Middle School (RMMS) are stepping up to the mic — literally. For the first time in school history, they are running their own newsroom, delivering the day’s headlines, and learning real-world media skills through the new RMMS Broadcast Team.

Led by Media Coordinator Meg Billups, the broadcast team is responsible for producing the school’s daily news broadcast. While some members also participate in the yearbook staff, the team operates separately, focusing on delivering news and updates to the student body. The program gives students an opportunity to develop essential journalism skills, including interviewing, scriptwriting, and video production.

“I believe it is essential to provide students with opportunities that bridge classroom learning — such as math, English language arts, and current events — with real-world applications,” Billups said. “Both of these clubs serve as valuable platforms for fostering these connections and equipping students with practical skills.”

Each morning at 9:30, the broadcast team gathers in the RMMS newsroom to pre-record their show. They huddle over their scripts, make last-minute edits, and rehearse their delivery before the countdown begins. 

Principal Leon Dupree, a former aspiring journalist, fully supported the initiative when Billups introduced it.

“Our broadcast program gives our students a voice and a platform to share important information about our school, connect with their peers, and develop skills that will serve them for a lifetime,” Dupree said. “This is an initiative I always wanted for our students, and I am so proud of this team for making it possible.”

To enhance the students’ learning experience, Billups invited WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter Heidi Kirk to speak with the broadcast team and yearbook staff. During her visits, Kirk provided insight into journalism techniques, interview skills, and storytelling fundamentals.

“You’re going to get interviewees who have two minutes’ worth of information when you may only need one sentence,” Kirk explained. “The key is to stay focused on what you need and capture the right details.”

She also shared a practical tip to help students put interviewees at ease.

“Instead of immediately diving into formal questioning, try, ‘Hi, I’m Heidi with WRAL. Do you have a minute to answer a question about goldfish?’” Kirk said. “A humorous approach helps break the ice.”

Students involved in the broadcast team and yearbook are finding new confidence in communication and journalism.

Seventh grader Tayton Wells said joining the club was an easy decision.

“I think it’s very important to have a yearbook for schools — it’s a fun club to be a part of,” he said. “But what excites me the most is the broadcasting side of it.”

For eighth grader Naomi Bryant, the experience is an opportunity for personal growth.

“I hope to learn not to be so nervous when talking to people,” she said. “Being part of this makes me happy because I can talk to people without it being face-to-face.”

Sixth grader Joori Alkablany said the broadcast team is already making a difference for students like her.

“Before this, I didn’t really know what was happening at school,” she said. “I wanted to join because it was interesting, and I wanted to be on live.”

As the team continues to grow, students are refining their storytelling abilities while gaining confidence in public speaking and media production. The initiative not only prepares them for potential careers in journalism, digital media, and communications, but also strengthens their connection to the school community.

The team is not just about morning announcements — it is part of a growing national trend.

Across the country, schools are recognizing the importance of media literacy and the role it plays in helping students think critically, communicate effectively, and engage with their communities. Early journalism experiences help students develop skills in leadership, teamwork, and public speaking — all of which are highly sought after in today’s job market.

A Pew Research Center study found that in 2022, 53% of student journalists at some universities contributed directly to statehouse reporting, reflecting the growing role of young people in professional news coverage. Additionally, a 2021 survey of journalism education found that strategic communication and journalism programs remain among the most popular fields of study for undergraduates.

Participation in student-run journalism has also been linked to stronger writing skills, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of current events.

“But Mrs. Billups makes me want to be involved,” Bryant said.

With a dedicated team and strong mentorship, these students are proving that their voices matter — and that they are more than ready to share them with the world.