Contributed PODCAST — Indian Creek School District Assistant Superintendent John Belt is interviewed by senior Angelo Delguzzi in a recent episode of the Creek Cast Podcast, a production from the strategic entrepreneurship class at Indian Creek High School.

WINTERSVILLE — Indian Creek High School’s strategic entrepreneurship students are schooling themselves and the public on leadership with their regular “Creek Cast” podcasts now available on YouTube.

Fifteen students in Johnna Provenzano’s career-technical education business course are boosting their communication and social media skills by providing regular interviews with local politicians, business people and educators and learning about leadership and success along the way.

“I’ve loved doing podcasts and iving classes different responsibilities. I thought it would be a great opportunity for students and to bring in local leaders to discuss entrepreneurship. There’s definitely a need for it,” Provenzano said. “We have so many talented people in the area who can offer professional career advice. The students have an opportunity to be on the podcast and we come up with a question template and tailor it to the person’s background. The goal is to get the students to add questions as we go.”

She reached out on Facebook in search of participants and said an advisory board member assisted by gathering guests. Provenzano said it began with business owners and representatives from small businesses to corporations representing various industries and has included politicians and educators. Podcasts began in October and students have produced more than a dozen episodes. Each podcast is created in the classroom and edited with the help of Taylor Scott’s digital media pupils, while Provenzano said her students take turns interviewing guests about how they achieved their status.

One of the most recent interviewees was district Assistant Superintendent John Belt, who discussed his educational path, time in the Army National Guard and 33-year career journey from teacher to administrator. Belt shared advice for students to reach for their dreams.

“Success is not measured in material items,” he said. “Success is being happy with what you do and loving your work. Do something that you love. Find something that you love and make a career out of it … and never stop learning.”

Provenzano said the interviews also serve as a means for students to build their communication skills and confidence so they can chart their own successful future.

“It’s learning about careers and leadership and very beneficial to hear about people who own a business, run a business and lead in the community,” she added. “I feel like we’re going into the community to find answers and there is so much talent out there. It lets the students see what opportunities are available to them.”

Interviews are generally conducted weekly, and podcasts are released about every two weeks. Future episodes are slated to include ICHS Principal Louie Retton and officials from WesBanco and Kroger.

The strategic entrepreneurship course primarily includes seniors and falls under the business and administrative services pathway. Students learn about other pathways including operations management, business law and business foundations and run the Spear-It school store to gain more hands-on knowledge.

Several pupils said they enjoyed the class and it has inspired them to plan for the future.

“It’s a good social experience,” said senior Sophia Maxon, who has led three podcasts. “You get used to being in front of people and less self-conscious.”

Maxon said she was interested in marketing and plans are to study for two years at Belmont College before transferring to a school in California.

“It’s nice for social skills,” added senior Angelo Delguzzi. “You get used to talking in front of a camera. It’s also nice to learn more from other people.”

Podcasts can be viewed at “Indian Creek HS Creek Cast Podcast” at YouTube.com. Anyone interested in appearing in future episodes may contact Provenzano at Johnna.provenzano@iclsd.org or by contacting the school at (740) 264-1163.