In this episode of The S Word podcast, junior Ivy Christie, junior Hazel Johnson and freshman Shyla Manhart discuss their experiences on the varsity football film crew. The film crew puts in the same long hours as the players: working 11 games throughout the season and showing up for early morning practice before school each day between those games. And like the football team, the film crew experienced trials and tribulations, highs and lows, as they pushed through the long season.

Film crew members Christie and Johnson joined by asking AP Biology teacher Gabriel Adame, who is no longer at McCallum, if they could be a part of the football program. Adame said that they should help with film.

“We wanted to be a part of this somehow, and then we came up to him the next Monday,” Johnson said.

Manhart joined with a recommendation from football coach Victor Ike.

Johnson and Christie arrive at 7:30 every morning to film practice. During fifth period, the entire film crew helps film practice and weight training. Finally, on game days, the crew arrives with the team.

“We’re always at the field like two hours before the game actually starts,” Manhart said.

By the end of this season, Johnson said she had developed a new relationship with the sport.

“I love football,” Johnson said. “It is such a cool sport, and it’s very interesting to watch.”