Though Ladue Horton Watkins High School senior and B’nai Amoona congregant Samantha Shanker knew she wanted to be on camera, she didn’t completely immerse herself in broadcast journalism until she started working her school’s television show “Ladue View.”

“I saw the video announcements when I first came as a freshman, and I decided that I wanted to be on camera,” Shanker said. “I also still do the announcements, but this television show has taken on a life of its own.”

Shanker serves as executive student director for “Ladue View” where she mentors students, edits videos, creates her own videos, and works to help the show run smoothly.

“She’s been our executive student director now for two years,” Broadcast Technology and Film Instructor Don Goble said. “She’s the first student to hold that position for two years on our staff because she’s such a good leader.”

Shanker started her involvement with broadcast media her freshman year as an alternative anchor for the high school’s video announcements. During her sophomore year, however, Shanker decided to join “Ladue View.” By working for it, she has received many broadcast journalism opportunities outside of the classroom, such as attending a highly selective five-week journalism program at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

“That was really cool,” Shanker said. “I [also] had a short internship at KSDK (Channel 5), working in their human resources department.”

In addition, Shanker created her own documentary titled “On Education,” which was entered into a national broadcast contest. “On Education” used student and teacher perspectives to look at the educational system. She decided on the subject because of the impact certain teachers have made on her own education, and life.

“I like telling stories,” Shanker said. “I like finding the angle that doesn’t always get noticed, and I love being creative in everything I do.”

In addition to attending camps and internships, Shanker has been recognized for her broadcast media achievements. 

“I recently won the C-Span honorable mention for their national video competition,” Shanker said. “There were like 3,000 entries, and 75 were awarded.”

Other broadcast media students enjoy collaborating with Shanker because of her commitment and work ethic. Colleagues say she is very talented and acts as one of the main forces behind “Ladue View.”

“I love working with [Samantha] because she’s so much fun and nice, and she’s really creative, too,” Ladue senior Nina Bocchini said. “She’s just really focused and works hard, and she produces good work.”

Shanker used her broadcast media passion to create content for Ladue’s program for freshman orientation. She also used Judaism as her inspiration for the public service announcements that she created.

“Judaism reminds me every day to make the world a better place, tikkun olam, and by sharing untold stories I hope that I’m making the world a better place,” Shanker said.

Shanker plans to attend Kenyon College in Ohio this fall. While she also has not decided what career she would like to pursue, she appreciates what broadcast journalism has taught her.

“I know the skills I’ve learned, whether it’s making videos, or lessons that I’ve learned about being on time and working hard, will follow me whatever I end up doing,” Shanker said.