KGTR sponsor Greg Baswell – Photo by Kaden Bagwell
By Kaden Bagwell – September 12, 2017
With production already underway, the 2017-2018 KGTR team includes a larger cast of students and a new sponsor, liberal arts and world history teacher Greg Baswell.
KGTR is Captain Shreve’s student-produced broadcast news outlet, based on YouTube, that airs every week. It was founded in the 2003-2004 school year and is now in its 15th year.
Although this is Baswell’s first year as KGTR sponsor, video production and news broadcasting are no foreign realm to him.
Baswell’s father was a sports director at local news station KTBS 3 for over 20 years. His sister also has a similar background, as a producer at KTAL NBC 6.
“I guess the reason why I am most excited about it is because it is a new avenue for me, something different,” Baswell said. “I’ve had a pretty standard routine for the last few years, and breaking up that routine gives me an opportunity to challenge myself.”
In his debut year as KGTR sponsor, Baswell hopes to increase uploads and diversify the content created, thus generating an boost in viewership.
This year Baswell has taken charge in many leadership roles. He is now in charge of liberal arts and KGTR. Along with the new additions, Baswell continues to be the Captain Shreve rugby sponsor.
“What I’ve found out is that it’s all about the kids,” Baswell said. “We have such an amazing crew right now that it makes it easy on me.”
One of the notable changes this year has been the crew size increase.
“I really like having such a big cast to work with,” junior KGTR cast member Abigail Roberts said. “It gives us more opportunities to throw more ideas out there and cover more events.”
Even though this is Baswell’s year to “learn the ropes,” students are already pleased with his performance as a sponsor.
“He has a knack for keeping us working 24/7,” senior KGTR cast member Elliot Redstone said. “We always have something to do, and it’s truly a nonstop effort to give the school the best news possible.”
Their segments can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/user/KGTRBroadcasting/videos.