Batesville Intermediate School 5th graders dove into the dynamic world of media, communications, and design through a unique two-part experience designed to connect classroom learning with real-world careers.
In the morning, students rotated through a Living Library, where professionals acted as “living books” to share personal career journeys and answer student questions. The event focused on media-related pathways, encouraging students to explore careers in journalism, graphic design, podcasting, video production, radio, and social media management.
Living Library Guests:
•Adam Fischmer, Margaret Mary Health
Marketing Specialist — Graphic Designer
•Rob Lafary, WRBI
Afternoon Radio Host — Radio Host
•Melinda Scripture, Batesville Neighbors
Publisher — Journalist
•Stephanie Jones, The Giving Gal
Author, Speaker, Coach — Journalist
•Cheyenne Lance, The Batesville Leader
Lead Staff Writer — Journalist
•Daniel Fayette, Fayette Web Design
Entrepreneur, Certified Marketing Consultant, Video Producer — Broadcaster/Videographer
•Jacob Nobbe, Paragon Productions
Co-Founder, Producer, Freelance Camera Operator — Broadcaster/Videographer
•Steven Harmeyer, The 812
Entrepreneur, News Director, Producer — Broadcaster/Journalist
•Merrill Hutchinson, Rock Solid Families
President, Coach — Podcaster
•Emily Steele, Steele Digital Marketing Solutions
Marketing Consultant — Social Media Manager
•Becky Walter, Margaret Mary Health
Marketing Manager — Social Media Manager
•Amanda Garcia, The Garrett Group at Lohmiller Real Estate
Realtor — Social Media Manager
In the afternoon, students took part in an immersive Media Industry Tour, visiting six local locations where they saw professionals in action and participated in hands-on learning experiences:
Afternoon Media Tour Stops:
•Batesville Memorial Public Library
Station Leader: Stephanie Jones
Focus: Journalism/Writing
•Gibson Theatre
Station Leader: Jacob Nobbe
Focus: Videography/Broadcasting
•Miss Shannon’s Music Studio
Station Leaders: Terrance Arne & Leon Smith, Overtime Podcast
Focus: Podcasting
•Amack’s Well / Community Church of Batesville
Station Leader: Steph Feller, Margaret Mary Health
Focus: Graphic Design
•Batesville Memorial Building
Station Leader: Angela Linville
Focus: Social Media Management
•WRBI Studio
Station Leader: Annie Nunley
Focus: Radio Broadcasting
This enriching day allowed students to make meaningful connections with local professionals and provided real-life insight into how their developing skills might align with future career pathways. The experience also supports the Bulldog Ready initiative by embedding career awareness into learning as early as elementary school.
