Each morning at Genoa Middle school, students and staff are apprised of the latest news throughout the building, thanks to a team of youngsters who produce, record, and edit a program called “Jaguar Update.” The ambitious endeavor was started last year by teacher/advisor Leah Gaines, who procured grants to buy a camera, a green screen, and professional editing software. On Thursday afternoon, November 21, the Jaguar staff got some tips from a pro. Mikaela Hunt, who co-anchors NBC4 Today and NBC4 Midday, dropped by to check out the operation and offer some advice. Gaines said her visit was greatly appreciated, since the pupils are striving to become more professional. “They want to improve their on-camera presence and learn about creating news stories,” she said.
Prior to joining the NBC4 team, Hunt worked at WAND-TV in Central Illinois; at KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri; and at WSOY Radio in Decatur, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.