At KIPP Academy of Opportunity (KAO) in South Los Angeles, students are gaining hands-on experience in photography, videography, and journalism through HIVE LIVE—an enriching afterschool program founded by 7th-grade lead science teacher Taylor Lane.
Now in its third year, the popular journalism program empowers young storytellers to produce monthly news segments covering school events, teacher spotlights, and student interviews that foster a sense of school culture and community.
The Vision Behind HIVE LIVE
Inspired by her own experience in an afterschool journalism program, Ms. Lane launched HIVE LIVE to introduce students to media production and content creation. As a professional graphic designer, photographer, and videographer, she wanted to provide an extracurricular activity that aligned with her students’ interest in social media while also exposing them to career opportunities in media, marketing, and design.
“My goal was to get kids interested in a career path they didn’t realize they liked,” Ms. Lane shares. “Now that they understand the technical side of content creation, they’re discovering new interests and possibilities.”
While Ms. Lane pursued a degree in science, she has remained true to her creative roots. HIVE LIVE offers students an engaging alternative to traditional extracurriculars like sports or cheer, helping them build confidence and find a sense of belonging.
How HIVE LIVE Works
The HIVE LIVE crew meets twice a week to produce monthly news segments that cover a wide variety of topics, such as:
- HIVE News: Updates on school events and celebrations.
- HIVE Highlights: Recaps of past events, teacher spotlights, and sports updates.
- HIVE LIVE Trivia: Fun and engaging school-wide trivia.
- HIVE Ads: Showcasing KAO student entrepreneurs.
- KIPP Talk: Student-led interviews featuring KAO teachers and students.
Students plan the next episode at the start of each month and film content on the last Friday — an incentive tied to academic performance. From scripting and filming to music selection and promotion, students oversee every aspect of production while Ms. Lane edits the final product.
The videos are then streamed from their dedicated YouTube channel (@kaohivelive), which allows their work to reach a broader audience and gives students a sense of pride in their contributions.
In addition to their regular programming, HIVE LIVE students had the unique opportunity to produce a special news segment for KIPP SoCal’s 20th Anniversary Gala in October 2024, which featured numerous highlights and achievements of the organization. The segment's opening was filmed at the South LA Best Buy Teen Tech Center, a recent partnership fostered by Ms. Lane.
Confidence & Community
Beyond technical skills, HIVE LIVE fosters confidence and strengthens school connections. “Eighth graders collaborate with fifth graders, teachers see what’s happening in different classrooms — HIVE LIVE brings our school together,” Ms. Lane explains.
Leadership is also built into the program, with 8th-grade student leads helping manage the crew and assist with planning. In addition to producing news segments, the HIVE LIVE team is responsible for creating the school’s yearbook, capturing memories that will last long after the school year ends.
In the first year of HIVE LIVE, a student interested in graphic design took the initiative to learn Photoshop and Illustrator with the support of Ms. Lane. He later designed the program's logo, which is still used today as the official logo.
The Future of HIVE LIVE
As the program grows, Ms. Lane hopes to expand opportunities for students to explore media production and develop storytelling skills. More than just an afterschool activity, HIVE LIVE is a launchpad for future journalists, filmmakers, and designers that’s helping students find their voice, build confidence, and leave an impact on their school community.