The QuadPod Baylor School

On this episode, we take a closer look at two Baylor programs that share more in common than you might think: mechanics club and biomedical research. These may seem an unlikely pair, but both fields involve taking a closer look at the fine details, diagnosing problems, and working towards solutions. For each story, we get an overview of the program with the faculty leader, and then hear perspectives on the experience from several of the students involved. First, we lift up the hood with Dr. Fazio and several members of the mechanics club. Senior Peter Fischer, who is also a member of the club, brings us this story. After, Mr. Kelly heads down to Weeks to discover what Dr. Antonio Herrera and four students from the biomedical research program have been exploring. Finally, we wrap up the episode with a special vox pop from Caroline Cliatt, a member of the graduating class, about where her fellow seniors are attending college next year and what they are looking forward to the most. This episode is hosted by seniors Alana Zavala and Anya Wiisanen.

The hill is alive with the sound of music! On this episode, we are featuring some of Baylor's most fluent speakers of "the universal language." First, senior Vincent McClure sits down with Vic Oaks, director of Baylor's choral program and the chair of fine arts here at Baylor, to get an overview of the value of an arts and music education. Next, senior Alana Zavala brings us the story of Mae Bender ('24), a Baylor student taking singing to operatic heights. Then, Tate Harrison ('25) speaks with freshman Shepherd Sewell, one of the top young cellists in the state, about his path to mastery. And finally, Mr. Kelly talks all things banjo with director of the learning center, Jennifer Averbeck. This episode is hosted by seniors Alana Zavala and Anya Wiisanen.

Travel to San Francisco with 11 Baylor students for the Harvard Model Congress Conference, a prestigious government simulation conference in the city by the bay. Hear students debate the most pressing issues facing our country today, led by their fearless leader, Baylor faculty member, Mary Beth Hopping. This episode is hosted by Mike Kelly, QuadPod "coach" and chaperone on the trip. Student voices include sophomore Shanina Dong, and juniors Benjamin Daniel, Eric Zheng, Tate Harrison, Grace Simmons, Finn Ryan, Julia Gardner, Ella Grace Lazenby, Alisha Chandra, Luci Hemphill, and Harper Kelly.

On this episode, we climb inside the world of the middle school production of "James and the Giant Peach." First, freshman Ivan Zheng speaks with the show’s director, Allison Lamb, about some of the unique challenges of this production. Next, senior Alana Zavala sits down with Elizabeth Agner, class of 2028, to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to be the stage manager in a multifaceted production like this. Then, senior Anya Wiisanen talks theatre costuming and fashion with junior Harper Kelly. Finally, if stepping into Dahl’s imaginary world isn’t enough to help you beat the winter doldrums, senior Dawson Bower gets some ideas from student activities coordinator, Daxton Bacalman, about ways to get involved and have fun off campus this season, and what we have to look forward to just around the corner.

On this episode we are featuring four solid interviews that students in the audio journalism elective conducted for their final projects in the class.  These four are not only all strong pieces, but they go together because they all share something in common: each student is a future college athlete who chose to sit down with a coach they admire to learn more about them, the game they have devoted their lives to, and to share stories about the sport they both love.  Each student handled all aspects of the production, from crafting the questions, running the tech, and finally editing the interview tape down to a 5-8 minute running time.  First, we’ll join senior Tomas Valincus and head coach Mike Kinney to talk baseball, then we’ll hear senior Riley Oleksik relive the historic sweet sixteen run that head Baylor girls' basketball coach John Gibson took with the 1997 UTC men’s basketball team while serving as an assistant coach.  We’ll stick with basketball for our next piece, as senior Nyziah Waley gives us a preview of the boys' basketball season with Baylor head coach and athletic director Mark Price.  Finally, we’ll hear senior Jack Murdock and head boys' lacrosse coach Tyler White talk about the game they both love.  Each of these students is a gifted athlete heading on to play at the next level and credit their esteemed coaches at Baylor for making that a possibility.

On this episode, we speak with three individuals who bring a unique set of life experiences to our community, experiences that further enrich our education here at Baylor. First, senior Vincent McClure sits down with Tony Easley, who coaches both boys' basketball and serves as Baylor’s strength and conditioning coach. Mr. Easley played professional basketball for 11 years on seven different teams in seven different countries. As a young aspiring player who didn’t even make his 9th-grade basketball team, this was a future that, as a young man, he never could have imagined. Next, senior Blake Bogo speaks with Baylor faculty member Jack Studer ('01). Mr. Studer is a successful entrepreneur who is sharing his knowledge and expertise about business start-ups and successes in the form of a new elective at Baylor. Finally, if you are a loyal listener of this program, you might recall that we had junior Tate Harrison kick off this season by describing his summer as an exchange student in South Africa. On this episode, we bring you part two of that story, where we turn the tables and Tate interviews Dylan Beukes, a young man from Tate’s host family in South Africa who spent six weeks here at Baylor as part of the same exchange program. This episode is hosted by seniors Anya Wiisanen and Karen Hori.