HS Eagle Vision team interviews Texas Representative Nathaniel Moran on Tuesday in their studio. Representative Moran spoke about promoting education, specifically military education at schools such as West Point.
“This was all really inspiring, and I love connecting back with East Texas authentically,” Moran said. “Our communities are built around our schools and the values that they learn here in Lindale ISD and other great school districts around East Texas.”
Senior Sydney Hines and Junior Kylon Kincade conducted the interview while the Eagle Vision team filmed the interactions and answers given by Congressman Moran.
“Being able to interview Congressman Moran was an amazing opportunity,” Hines said. “It’s not every day you get to meet someone who represents you in Congress. Asking questions and receiving educational answers was really inspiring as a student who also takes on leadership positions.”
Eagle Vision students will cut the footage and create a promotional video for military academies and education that will be sent back to Representative Moran for him to use.
“I think that this is a really cool idea and opportunity for Eagle Vision and for all of the students who are working on this project,” Eagle Vision student junior Audrey Yang said. “I know a lot of kids in the Lindale area that go into the military after high school and this opportunity is very cool for those kids.”
LHS’s student council leaders, National Honors Society (NHS) officers, and Key Club officers all met in front of the school to welcome Congressman Moran as he arrived.
“I think being able to welcome a member of congress is a very cool experience,” NHS vice president Paula Arantes said. “I feel like not many people our age would have gotten the same opportunity. I think it’s just going to be fun getting to see what he does.”
The students from the various clubs and several officials from Lindale’s district, including high school principal Jeremy Chilek and superintendent Stan Surratt, escorted Congressman Moran to the interview room held in LHS’s studio booth.
“It’s an honor to have a congressman come to our high school and recognize us as one of the best in not only East Texas but in Texas,” Chilek said. “And from him, being someone who’s a huge supporter and proponent of public education, it really makes us feel good that he recognizes us as a leader in education in the state.”
Eagle Vision’s teacher and sponsor Neda Morrow was absent the day of the interview due to illness. Her students carried out the interview without her there to guide them and made no errors.
“When Mrs.Morrow said she would be absent that morning I was a little nervous knowing he was coming, but she assured me that I don’t have to be worried because the students are better than I am at what they’re doing,” Chilek said. “Watching them in the studio by themselves working, being able to orchestrate the interview with multiple individuals doing their jobs was extremely impressive. They looked like a professional crew, in my opinion.”
The interview was directed by Eagle Vision senior Kylie Gorman. She has been a part of the program for 3 years.
“Being able to direct the interview with Congressman Moran was an exciting experience,” Gorman said. “With directing this interview I had to help the crew make sure the setting was correct and the lighting was correct.”
Before leaving, Congressman Moran spent time talking to all students involved and answering any further or personal questions they had.
“We’re very grateful for the opportunity to represent our school in the way that we feel is the best,” David Kelly, senior and Key Club activities director, said. “This was not what I was expecting to do today, but I am very grateful for the opportunity and I’m very grateful to Congressman Moran and his team for taking the time out of their extremely busy schedule just to come visit us here.”
