West Clermont students gain podcasting, leadership experience through high‑school partnership

West Clermont Local students are getting hands‑on experience in podcasting and leadership through an in‑district partnership that pairs elementary students with high‑school communication interns and a high‑school teacher.

District presenters described a program in which four fifth graders at Willowville Elementary record the “Warrior Way” podcast with support from a high‑school communications class led by teacher Brandy Kelton and two high‑school communication interns. The initiative gives elementary students experience with scheduling, email and calendar management, interview skills and basic production work; staff described it as a career‑based learning opportunity that also strengthens cross‑age mentorship.

Staff said the podcast offered tangible learning experiences: students prepared interview questions, contacted guests, and recorded an episode featuring former Bengals quarterback John Kitna. The program also provided high‑school students with paid or credit‑bearing internship experience and allowed them to mentor younger students; district staff characterized the arrangement as a grassroots partnership that used modest equipment and professional studio visits.

District leaders said they plan to continue and expand the program, pulling rising fifth graders into the production process toward the end of the school year so they are ready for middle school programming next year. Administrators highlighted the program as an example of career‑connected learning and said it will be featured in district communications tied to the WC Strong community storytelling initiative.