Pictured Above: Prairieville Middle School 8th Grade Podcasters (Top Row: Jolie Dupuy, Abigail Rustad, Reid Cutforth, Taj Johnson, Kennedy Heffernan, Emma Davis; Bottom Row: Sara Booty, Helen Sanith, Emerson Langlois, Scarlett Morales, and Claire Taranto.)
Brooke Todd and Emily Maples of Prairieville Middle School were honored to win a School Impact Grant for the 2025-2026 school year to benefit the entire school community! Through funding provided by the Ascension Fund, Prairieville Middle School was able to create and launch a student podcast designed to inform, engage, and connect students, staff, families, and the local community.
“The podcast gives students the opportunity to develop communication, interviewing, writing, media production, and leadership skills while having fun. They share school news, special events, and other creative content. Students involved in the project have gained valuable real-world experience and I have loved every minute of working with them as the podcast grew and improved,” Mrs. Todd said. As this grant supported school journalism, Mrs. Todd asked that some of her students contribute to this article.
Claire Taranto, one of the 8th grade Podcast members said, “Students are able to release monthly episodes and specials on the PVM Panther Podcast YouTube channel that includes information on the schools clubs, interviews with coaches, and even games that are played with students from the school! The Podcast also allows students that may be interested in journalism or broadcasting to be able to get an experience on what it would be like to do this job. The students that are part of the Panther Podcast work very hard on scripts, time management as they need to get things done before deadlines, as well as talking to others around the school. Overall, this grant has been so helpful to our school, allowing students to not only get an experience of what journalism would be like, but to also have fun and learn more about the school in the process.”
Sara Booty, another 8th grade member of PVM Journalism said, “Podcast and print! Where to start? At PVM, this is more than a club. It’s an environment. Everyone collaborates together each month to create both a newsletter and a podcast! This organization has taught me so much! At first, I wasn’t considering journalism as something fun! Then, we had our club assignments, and Mrs. Todd asked me to consider journalism! I was like ‘What do I have to lose?’ Podcast has also helped boost my confidence. I learned how to operate a camera, check lighting, create interview questions, and I became comfortable on camera.”
Helen Sanith, an 8th grade student getting ready to be a Prairieville High Hurricane next year, said, “These past two years I had the most wonderful opportunity to be a part of PVM’s journalism club, this includes both Panther Podcast and Panther Print. Our school is privileged to have club days that consist of numerous clubs that students are able to join. These days allow students to experience new things. Last year Mrs. Todd and Mrs. Maples started Panther Print – a newspaper created for students, by students! At first, I thought the club would be boring as no one reads newspapers anymore, but boy was I wrong. I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of this growing experience. Journalism expanded this year to include a Podcast, which has been a huge part of my time at PVM. This club has not only taught me independence, but responsibility. The Podcast has impacted me in so many ways, by meeting new people, learning characteristics, and even learning new things about myself. I will miss the experience so much. Joining PVM’s journalism club has probably been the best choice I have made with my time here.”
Emerson Langlois, 8th grade student and podcaster, said, “This year, our journalism club included a podcast for all the students and staff to watch and be aware of the important situations at our school. All this was possible because of a grant from the Ascension Fund. This funding wasn’t just about buying new gear, it was an investment in our voices, our stories, and our ability to connect with our school community on a whole new level. But with the new equipment, including professional grade microphones, quality audio, and our iPad which we use to edit and film, the difference has been shocking! The quality of our equipment now matches the quality of the content we try to produce. This has had such a positive impact on our school’s community.”
She went on to say, “It has truly been a gift to have because as an 8th grader, I have been able to be so involved during my last year in middle school! It has been a blessing to be able to teach the 6th and 7th graders new material to use when they film next year. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to see how our podcast continues to grow and serve as a platform for student voices.”
The grant-funded project has allowed Prairieville Middle School to expand student voice and creativity through a modern media platform that celebrates the accomplishments and experiences of the school community.
Prairieville Middle School is grateful to the Ascension Fund for supporting innovative educational opportunities that positively impact students and encourage creativity, collaboration, and communication. Funds for this grant were provided by Rubicon through the Ascension Fund. The Ascension Fund is a non-profit organization established in 1991 by the Gonzales Rotary Club as an instrument for private sector leaders to invest directly in the work of individual teachers and schools through grants for innovative ideas and programs in Ascension Parish public schools. Teacher Grants of $500 or $1,000 and School Impact Grants of $2,500 are awarded on an annual competitive basis. To date, the Ascension Fund has awarded approximately 1,500 grants representing over $1.8 million dollars in the school system. For more information, visit www.ascentionfund.com.
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