BUFFALO TWP — Doug Kersten and Lauren Weres put in long hours producing a morning television program, so it's no surprise they have an award-winning show. What is amazing, though, is that Doug and Lauren are high school seniors.

The Freeport High School students produce a daily taped show, which is aired with other original student-produced programming on the local government cable access channel, Channel 50 on Armstrong Cable and Channel 15 on Adelphia.

The hard work of Doug, Lauren and their fellow television production students paid off on April 12 when they won several categories during the 13th annual Television and Video Teachers Student Video Festival at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.

Doug and Lauren won an excellence award for the competition's morning announcements category for Freeport's "You're Watching BEE-TV."

The daily show incorporates morning news with skits serving as public service announcements. The students also produce a magazine show, "The Buzz."

Doug and Lauren have the arduous task of making all of the disparate elements work as one 4- to 8-minute show as well as scheduling eight hours of daily programming on the access channel.

Neither student is daunted by the job. Lauren said television production is her creative outlet.

"I just let loose," she said. "This is my fun thing to do."

Doug likens the studio as his home away from home.

"Without it, I wouldn't have a sense of belonging in high school," he said. "This is my family."

Doug watches movies for inspiration, emulating the often cutting-edge direction with unique scene transitions meant to draw teen viewers, notorious for short attention spans.

In addition to entertaining viewers, Doug enjoys being part of a group that sparks creativity in others.

"Our work inspires students to undertake film projects outside of school," he said.

Although both Lauren and Doug downplay their hard work, their teacher, Tawnya Lunz, lauds their efforts.

Lunz, the high school's broadcast communications teacher, said the two seniors deserve recognition for logging in the hours each day to keep the program running.

"They don't just hang out here," Lunz said. "They produce and program every day."

In turn, Lauren and Doug credit Lunz with their program's success.

"She taught us everything we know," Lauren said. "She's been a great mentor."

Lauren also won an award for her documentary, "A Day in the Life of a Kindergartener," which showed the youngsters adjusting to their new schedule.

Lunz praised Lauren's ability to direct and produce a film, including the knack for interjecting humor into a story.

"She's an excellent storyteller," Lunz said.

Freeport students also won in the magazine category for "The Buzz."

Seniors Kyle Friend and Jamie Ward, the show's hosts, try to make the program as professional as possible. Kyle said he watches network anchors so he can emulate their delivery.

Freeport also won in the commercial and public service announcement categories.

While commercials are class projects only used for grading and contest entries, the public service announcements are shown during the daily school broadcast.

Always looking for creative ways to inform, the students tape skits to send the intended message. For example, a puppet named Jimmie boasts to "other" live students he won't get caught abusing computer privileges in the library. Naturally, Jimmie is busted.

Lunz explained Jimmie is used to show a student doing something wrong, so no actual students are associated with rule-breaking.

Because of the light-hearted approach, everyone — students and teachers alike — wants to get in the act when it's time to film a public service announcement. Even Principal Max Krugle participates.

"When they see him, they freak out," Lunz said about students watching their principal act in a skit.

Along with special programs, such as music performances, the students also produce short movies and music videos for the cable channel.

Lunz is proud of her students' awards for another reason — the video production program only dates back to 1997 when the crew had two video cameras.

Although the studio now includes multiple cameras and a control booth, it lacks equipment found in wealthier school districts. Freeport beat out Indiana High School which has 45 digital editors compared to Freeport's three.

Of the more than 150 entries, Freeport was the high school that won the most awards with five. Indiana and Peters Township High School each won four.

Lunz said this is the most awards Freeport has won in one year, crediting the students.

"We definitely have the drive and determination," she said.