The Klamath Union Digital Media Program invited members of the Klamath Falls City Schools Board of Education for a tour of its program Thursday night at Klamath Union High School.
Last year, KU Digital Media instructor Dan Stearns and one of his top students, Emily Wiley, accompanied several members of the board and KFCS Superintendent Keith Brown for a trip to California for a tour to two robust CTE programs, part of a long-range facilities plan for Ponderosa Middle School.
Stearns and Wiley, along with Klamath Union alumni and former digital media student, Daina Hernandez-Alvarado, filmed the entire trip as members of the board of education saw first hand how Stearns and his students put together a video project.
Over a year later, Stearns had a chance to showcase his superb digital media program, how much it has grown and all its deserving success.
For a gallery of the Klamath Union Digital Media, KFCS Board of Education tour, click the following link from the KFCS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Klamath.Falls.City.Schools
KU Digital Media has utilized over $573,000 in ODE grants:
CTE Revitalization Grants (2022–2025): $373,000
Summer Learning Programs: $200,000
Our Motto: Dream It. Say It. Do It.
Our Inspiration: The Pygmalion Effect – when students are expected to succeed, they do.
Student Leadership:
President: Ben Graham
Vice Presidents: Zoe Bitzer
Photography: Talan Chancellor, VP Pres
Graphic Design: Bella Armijo & Caitlyn Fettinger
Sports Broadcasting: Eli Soriano
KUDJ Radio: Connor Jackson & Kendall Kratochvil
Print Shop: Zahira Rico & Jameson Stewart
Yearbook & Pels Press Magazine: Led by Ben Graham
"We are KU Digital Media – a one-stop shop for everything creative: video, radio, print, design, photo, and more. Like a digital Fred Meyer – you’ll find it all here," Bitzer said.
Field Trips Funded by Our Businesses:
2022: Hawaii – Agricultural film project
2023: Caribbean – Short travel films
2025: Alaska – Photo magazine documentary
2026: Europe (proposed) – International storytelling trip
Tour Stops
1. DJ & Event Production – Connor Jackson & Kendall Kratochvil
Live demonstration of our KUDJ System & Video Boards
Talk about our student-run DJ and event services: dances, weddings, conferences
Showcase the mobile BOSE system trailer
School Board members: try out the DJ station!
2. Photography – Talan Chancellor
Hands-on display of our Sony A7R5 cameras and lens kit
Introduction to our online photography gallery via SmugMug
Showcase how students run photo coverage for events and sports
3. Mac Lab & Yearbook/Magazine – Ben Graham & Bella Armijo
Ben presents our Pels Press operations: yearbook, quarterly magazine, digital publishing
Bella shares the vision of our graphic design team
Play student projects, including the Titanic Video
Introduce our partnership with the Downtown Association
Special guest: Bella’s mom, Kelly Armijo, representing local business
4. Community Partnerships – Kelly Armijo
Discuss how student teams will collaborate with local businesses on Third Thursdays
Outline our 2025–2026 curricular updates: project teams, community contracts, and media internships
Emphasize real-world skill building and workforce development
5. Sports Broadcasting Lab – Eli Soriano & Walter Hartley
Tour the broadcasting room: cameras, green screen, instant replay
Demonstration of play-by-play and color commentary
Showcase our fiber cable system that enables live-streaming from any point on campus
Try out headsets and switchboard stations
Preview new upgrades: mobile broadcasting for away games
6. KU Print Shop – Jameson Stewart & Kelly Armijo
Interactive press experience: School Board members press their own shirts
Display of products: vinyl banners, stickers, window graphics, sublimation T-shirts, embroidery
Outline future offerings: direct-to-garment transfers & expanded client contracts
Vision for the future:
AI & tech integration
Work ethic and time management
Employability skills that last a lifetime
