By Matt Hoover
USD 475 Communications Coordinator
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Geary USD 475 announced that Junction City High School’s Blue Jay Media team recently earned top honors at the SATO48 Film Challenge in Springfield, Mo., placing in the top 10 in two different categories.“I’m so proud of what our Blue Jay Media team has accomplished this past year,” said Sabrina Reiswig, Blue Jay Media adviser. “Having our team perform well at SATO48 comes as no surprise because it reflects the exceptional quality of work our students are capable of producing.
SATO48 provides a real-world learning experience, and creating opportunities like this for our students is something I am deeply passionate about.”A total of 15 Blue Jay Media students, along with several JCHS drama students, collaborated to produce the award-winning short film Triple T’s Chicken in less than 48 hours under Reiswig’s direction. Competing against 72 teams, 55 of which produced a video submission, from across the Midwest and beyond, the Blue Jays earned a Top 10 showing in Product Placement and a Top 5 placing in Set Design.
While in Springfield, students attended three film screenings where they participated in audience Q&A sessions and shared insights about their creative process. Triple T’s Chicken was also showcased on the big screen at the historic Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield. In addition, students walked the red carpet, participated in interviews with local television stations, and connected with professionals from across the audio and video production industry.“To be recognized during our first-year participating is a true testament to the talent, dedication, and hard work of this Blue Jay Media team,” Reiswig said. “The students completed and submitted their film with seven hours to spare, and they have already been encouraged to return and compete again in 2027.”