At St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, a spirited group of students has quietly set in motion something extraordinary: PVI-TV.
Beginning during the 2023–24 school year, from the minds of juniors in Peter Troy’s honors English class, this student-run club has quickly evolved into one of the school’s newest and most distinctive electives. It has carved out a place in the school’s story in its brief existence.
PVI-TV is more than just a journalism club. It’s a place where students can be creative and share their ideas. Every week, students from different grades come together to make videos that show what’s going on at school. They interview fellow students and teachers, share their thoughts, and highlight otherwise overlooked events.
What started as a group of five in the library has evolved into a project with its full-fledged studio and a diverse team that meets every day to write, film, and produce videos to share with the entire school. But it’s not any fancy equipment that makes PVI-TV what it is — this is a home-spun outfit using student art as its background. It’s the passion, curiosity and care that students put into it.
At PVI-TV, students are in charge of every step of the process. They develop ideas, write scripts, direct scenes, and edit the footage. By doing this, they learn to work together, manage their time, and tell stories in a way that’s engaging and meaningful. As senior Abigail Moran said, “Everyone gets to make use of their talents, whether that be behind the camera, in front of it, or editing everything together.”
For many, PVI-TV is more than just a class — it’s a reflection of their growth and progress. Another senior, Jordan Quaile, talked about a big project they worked on, writing the screenplay for the junior prom promotional video. “I had never done anything like that before — writing scripts, casting roles, giving camera directions — but I adapted to it. It felt good to try something new and see it come together.”
Senior Brookie Barker also pointed to the freedom the program offers. “What I love is that we aren’t micromanaged. Mr. Troy trusts us to take the lead, to direct our own projects, and make our own creative decisions. That freedom pushes us to be more responsible and take ownership of our work.” In fact, throughout the year, that creative independence has translated into visible growth for every student who has worked both on and off camera: “At the beginning, everything felt so scripted, but now our videos feel more natural. We’ve grown more confident, and that shows on screen.”
But perhaps the heart of the program lies in the community it builds. PVI-TV has become a place where encouragement flows freely, where students learn from one another and aren’t afraid to risk vulnerability. “It’s a space where your voice matters,” Barker said. “It’s helped me open up. I even started writing a novel because of the encouragement I’ve received here.” That kind of transformation doesn’t happen just anywhere — it’s proof that PVI-TV exemplifies the values that the school prides itself on. Values that students agree come from the quiet guidance of Troy. “He sees potential in us that we don’t always see in ourselves. He’s pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect,” said Barker. In fact, this community has appealed to so many students that new members join almost weekly to try their hand at taking on their own role in front of the camera.
PVI-TV also teaches students practical media skills that they can use in real life. They learn how to use editing software, write scripts, direct scenes and speak on camera. These skills are useful not only inside the classroom, but also in many careers, such as journalism, film, marketing and public speaking. Many students agree that PVI-TV has helped them become more confident in sharing who they are in front of a camera and representing themselves in front of the school, and now they actually enjoy being in front of the lens.
Beyond the studio walls, the program has begun to shape the school’s culture. Whether it’s through documenting sports games, highlighting school events, or capturing theatre and music shows, PVI-TV preserves the everyday moments that define campus life. It invites students to see how incredible the PVI community is, raising awareness for events such as charity weeks and highlighting the accomplishments of both student groups and individuals alike.
Though students lead the charge creatively, the support of faculty remains essential. Peter Troy and Brian McClernand, both English teachers and PVI-TV moderators, offer feedback, technical support, and a watchful eye — ensuring that every episode reflects the high standard PVI-TV sets for itself. Their role isn’t to steer the ship, but to make sure it sails well.
The program also echoes the spirit of one of PVI’s patron saints, St. Francis de Sales, whose maxim, “Do ordinary things extraordinarily well,” is well known to every student. With this in mind, PVI-TV brings the raw material of high school — hallway conversations, sports games, school dances — and transforms them into thoughtful, engaging pieces.
This gathering of young storytellers is learning not just how to speak, but how to be heard. And in doing so, they are writing something far more lasting than a script — they are writing themselves into the lifeblood of their school and marking their legacy at PVI.
