The BET Tour
By Bakare Awakoaiye (7th grade)

On April 8, Ile Omode's middle school students were welcomed into Black Entertainment Television, or BET, as guest and they were all excited and fascinated with what they experienced.

When the middle school students first arrived they were led upstairs where they met with Antoinette Woodland, who had worked at BET for 8 years, and was the designer and planner. She planned and organized what happened in BET, and whenever a building was to be changed she was the one to design it. From looking inside they could tell the building was huge and many people worked here. It seemed like a modern corporation from what the students saw. After meeting with Ms. Woodland, the students ate a delicious meal and met the Vice President of Corporate Operations. This man’s name was Carey M. Manhertz, and his job was very important.

If Mr. Manhertz doesn’t do his job, BET would fall apart. He and the COO would get fired. His job, by the way, was to make sure that operations within the company were going good and that people were working and doing what they were supposed to be doing. He also had to report to the COO about what was going on. After the middle school students had settled down, Mr. Manhertz led them down to a different floor. Mr. Manhertz led them to the office of an editor, who had waited for many hours to see them. The middle school students found out that his name was Mr. Andre Joyner. He told them what kind of software and material he was working with. He even showed the middle school a sneak peak, of what he would later present to other people. This sneak peak was an advertisement and an announcement to get people ready for new shows. Even Mr. Manhertz hadn’t seen it before.

Next, Mr. Manhertz took the students to another building where all the films were broadcasts. This building looked high tech in many rooms. There were big screens where people watched what was about to be aired. There were some technical equipment that the students didn’t even know about and they couldn’t identify it. There the students met with Mr. Jason Skinner, the overnight supervisor. He was to make sure that the shows were aired correctly and there were no problems at all. Many of the students were interested with his work, because it was so amazing and they had never seen anything like it before. They had never seen anyone in the process of broadcasting what they watch on TV. After being shown around, the students were led back to the main building and ate a small snack that Ms. Woodland had prepared. As the middle school students ate, they spoke with the COO, Mr. Scott Mills. He spoke to the students about getting an education and applying it to the real world. After speaking with him and gathering information, the students met with the CEO, Debra Lee whose job was to oversee the company and represent it. She was in charge of everything. She showed the students her own office which had several rooms, like a makeup room, and a bathroom, with a shower. Not only were the students amazed but so were Mr. Manhertz and Ms. Woodland, because they had never been inside of her office. And they rarely ever saw her! They all had a great time. (Spring 6249[2009])

 

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About the Author

Bakare Awakoaiye was born on February 17, 1997. He attends Ile Omode and he lives with his baba, mama, sister, and brother. During his extra time he enjoys drawing, playing with his friends, and skateboarding.

He also likes to meet new friends and helping them out with their problems. He enjoys drumming for the Ile Omode drmmers and he also enjoys putting on a show when playing for the Ile Omode Jazz Ensemble. He plays the saxophone.

Bakare is active in sports, and runs track for CA Track Club, where he runs the 400m and 800m dashes. He also plays football for the Oakland Dynamites, where he plays tightend and strong safety.

He's someone you really want to get to know.