For a long time, a small room in the high school library sat filled with box televisions, VCRs, and “junk” that had culminated over the years. Today, that storage closet has been completely emptied and transformed into a high-tech podcast studio, striving towards a shift about modernizing student resources.
The project was notably spearheaded by librarian Kim Garee.
“When I got here, I noticed students kept coming in and saying, ‘Is there anywhere we can go where it is quiet and we can record?'” Garee said. “So, I made it a top priority.”
The renovation was funded through a grant, which provided a new rug, table, and chairs. The technical setup, however, required manual labor. Garee spent several nights working until 9 p.m., painting shelves and repurposing thousands of books to serve as a makeshift “sound wall” for better audio quality.
Principal Scott Hinton praised the motivation and hard work, noting that the room represents a larger effort to modernize the library. “It’s just transformative,” Principal Hinton said. “We didn’t expand; we didn’t add a room. We just cleaned up adult messes and made it a better space for students to use. We’ve got to continually have the mindset that we are going to find ways to provide students with opportunities.”
For seniors like Zachary Schilling, the room has already become a central part of his school day. Schilling and co-host Cade Roberts use the space to record Two Headed Goat, a comedy and interview-style podcast focused on the high school experience.
“The podcast room 100 percent makes the school feel more modern,” Schilling said.
“Just walking in there, you feel like a tech wizard. It is such a valuable asset for the school to have because learning to use modern recording technology is a very important skill.”
Schilling noted that the equipment has improved throughout the year, with the school adding new microphones and hardware to maximize production value. Because professional audio equipment can be a scary task for beginners, Garee has implemented a sign-out sheet and step-by-step instructions to ensure the room remains accessible to all students.
“Don’t be intimidated if you’ve never recorded on high-quality equipment before,” Garee said. “There’s a reserved space for you.”
