Nancy Edmonds Hanson
nancy.edmonds.hanson@gmail.com
No mere pandemic will keep Moorhead High School’s Class of 2020 from their moment in the spotlight. Thanks to Spuds.TV, proud parents will watch their offspring receive their diplomas as scheduled on Sunday, June 7, if not exactly as they’d once planned.
As they’ve been doing all along, the video team of Rick Westra and Corey Delorme has been recording high points of the 2019-2020 school year at Moorhead High. This week, the climax of the year has been keeping them busy. For eight hours a day, they have been recording the presentation of diplomas to Moorhead’s 400-some seniors … each entering the auditorium solo, pacing across the stage in cap and gown, pausing for pictures by the two parents allowed to watch from the back of the room, and then sharing a fist bump with Superintendent Brandon Lunak as they leave the stage.
Corey and Rick have already taped remarks by the 15 class valedictorians, comments from Principal Dave Lawrence, a number by the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and – of course – the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by a slimmed-down band of just eight members. Next week, they’ll tackle the gargantuan editing of each teen’s 4 seconds of glory into a video of an hour and 15 minutes.
It seems that Spuds.TV, which has been gaining accolades for the last 12 months, was in just the right place to save the day. Begun as an experiment by Corey, an IT professional, and pro photographer Rick, as well as venerable Spuds sportscaster Larry Knutson, the collaboration has been picking up steam with a full schedule of Spud sports live-streamed over the internet via Vimeo and YouTube.
“When everything shut down in March because of the pandemic, I contacted Brandon (Lunak) and told him Spuds.TV was at his disposal – whatever they needed,” Delorme says now. “As the pandemic continued, he called Rick and me to sit in with Dave (Lawrence) and other administrators to toss around the possibilities.”
Work began in earnest early this month. The superintendent surveyed seniors and their parents about whether they’d prefer a “real” ceremony in August or a video version. Three out of four pointed to the possible delay. But as the Minnesota Department of Education’s rules became clear, so did the impossibility of waiting until August. Says Lunak, “For one thing, we don’t know whether that would actually be possibly by August. For another, many of the seniors will scatter over the summer and wouldn’t be available. Within the scheme of what we’ve been given, we’re doing our very best to make their graduation a reality – as memorable as we can possibly do.”
Spuds.TV grew naturally from its principles’ strong ties to Moorhead High. Delorme has worked in radio with his father-in-law, famed Spud sportscaster Larry Knutson, for 20 of Larry’s 40 years on the air. The idea of Spud-centric video came up on a hockey trip in the winter of 2019 when head coach John Amermann asked, “Have you ever thought about video streaming?”
“The answer was simple: No,” Delorme laughs. His day job, though – an independent consultant in all things digital, from retail point-of-sale systems and cybersecurity to fixing computer systems – meant he knew his way around online. The 1994 MHS alumnus teamed up with Rick Westra, a friend and 1986 grad, to try it out. They streamed hockey, lacrosse, the all-city concert and the prom’s grand march that spring, and it was a go.
With Knutson providing the play-by-play, often from games broadcast by WDAY Radio, they launched their nonprofit enterprise last fall. Eight community and business leaders formed a board of directors, and a list of local businesses eagerly signed on as sponsors. The Moorhead Hockey Alumni Association provided a grant to purchase a second set of equipment.
Until COVID-19 brought the school year and all competition to a screeching halt, their weekly live streams were becoming must-see TV. Among matches they streamed, along with hockey, are football, volleyball, girls and boys basketball, gymnastics and lacrosse. Several longer competitions were recorded, then edited into full productions, including a Nordic ski meet and the weight-lifting competition at which a local boy set the state record. All are archived on their website and available for replay or download.
“Frankly, this has grown beyond my wildest imagination,” Delorme says. “The support has amazed us – community leaders, parents, businesses, and of course the school administration. Dean Haugo (athletic director) has been all in 1,000% from the first. He was very instrumental in our getting this going and headed in the right direction.”
In past years, high school students themselves have occasionally worked with Spud-based online broadcasts. The problem with that approach is that after student producers graduate, the program is back at square one. Spud.TV solves that problem. “We have a core of student crew members,” Delorme says of the half-dozen volunteers whom they work with. “But we’re here to provide continuity.”
Along with Rick and Larry, he envisions growing possibilities when more normal days return. “We don’t want this to be all athletics,” he stresses. He looks toward collaboration with the new Career Academy. “There’s the potential to do some interesting programming with students. Who knows? We might discover the next Rachael Ray or automotive show.”
Delorme is propelled, he says, by sympathy for his own daughter, senior Lucy. “I remember how special this time was for my son Parker when he graduated last year,” he muses. “Parker will never forget those last months – activities, friends, moments he’ll remember for a lifetime. Before the last three months, Lucy and her classmates were beginning to connect in that special way.
“I feel bad for all of them. This has given us a way to give the class something that’s memorable – a high point of a time they, and we, will never forget.”
