According to the US News and World Report on the 2025 Best High Schools, Hudson High School has earned a ranking of eleventh in Ohio and 396th nationwide. Apart from academics, Hudson was ranked so high because of its inclusivity. This inclusion is derived right from the copious amount of clubs at HHS. In recent years, the number of clubs at Hudson has skyrocketed, one of these being the Boathouse Broadcast (Podcast) Club.
The Boathouse Broadcast Club originated at the very end of last school year in May. It was founded by current seniors Lauren Brownley and Elora Beh. The two girls were inspired to create this club during their Intro to Journalism class. The girls were working together on a podcast assignment for the class and both discovered their passion for podcasting. Beh shares, “We both kinda just looked at each other and were like, why don’t we make a club for this? We have the equipment and have ideas.” After the initial conversation Beh and Brownley got quickly to planning. First, they needed an advisor, and it was only fitting that they would ask Mr. Crecelius, their Intro to Journalism teacher, to advise the club. Once Crecelius was involved, the club just needed board approval which they quickly recieved.
Brownley also shares that HHS’s podcast room was another important factor in the inspiration the girls had for the club. Brownley adds, “I really wished the podcast room was available to everybody in the grade because I think people would really enjoy it so then we agreed we should start our own club.”
Hudson is one of the only schools around with its own room dedicated to podcasting with the proper equipment and technology. The podcast club aims to take advantage of this unique room and give students throughout HHS the opportunity to also enjoy the space.
Because the club began only in May, this will be the first year the club is in action. Beh and Brownley plan to have several meetings soon where the club members will get to choose the topics they will speak about. Brownley makes it known that students are given almost complete freedom when picking what they want to speak about in their podcasts. She shares that the club leaders and other students have “no say” on what is shared by other students (as long as it fits school regulations). This aspect makes the club very desirable and appealing to so many students, as all high schoolers have something they are passionate about.
To make a podcast, students first choose their topics. Then students make a story board outline to have a basis for what to say while they are recording. After that, students have the opportunity to use the podcast room to record either by themselves or with partners. After this, students can use the editing software on the school computers to edit and finalize their podcasts. Brownley mentions, “When you’re editing you can edit out parts you don’t like, add music, add sound effects and other fun things.”After editing your podcast is complete and you can publish it on different audio sites or just keep it for yourself.
The Podcast Club leaders also plan to expand the club next year and pass down the club responsibilities to underclassmen. It was important to the founders that the club would continue for years ahead. Because it is only the first year of action, the club leaders are ambitious to make it a successful year. Looking ahead, this year and in the coming years, the Podcast Club plans to create podcasts specifically for HHS students and to better the school. Beh mentions podcasts are a great way to get students involved at HHS even if they aren’t specifically in the club. “We’ve talked about making a podcast highlighting other clubs at Hudson to get students to find their place in Hudson High School.” The club also wants to use podcasts to better inform students on Hudson specific news as well.
This club is a great one for all students to join because of its inclusivity. As previously mentioned, this club can be enjoyed by all students because each of their passions are highlighted. Every student can choose what they want to make of the club. For some, the club could be about sports and for others it could be Starbucks drinks. This club also allows for students to share their opinions and ideas in a simple but entertaining way. Beh always adds the club isn’t a huge commitment. “The club is a really good thing especially because it is super low maintenance. Students are able to put in more work into their podcasts if they’d like to as well.”
If the podcast club sounds interesting to you, you can join by following the club instagram @boathouse_broadcast or joining the google classroom with the code: 3idsibul.
As school rankings skyrocket, clubs deserve recognition, too. The Boathouse Broadcast Club is one in specific that has and will continue to add to the positive statistics.
