Student-Led Podcast Makes Big Splash in Aransas Pass ISD

What happens when you combine five determined Aransas Pass High School students, a scrappy makeshift studio, and a microphone? The Panthers’ Perspective podcast. With 11 episodes, more than 7,000 listeners in its first year, and a feature on the local news, the student-led podcast has made a big splash broadcasting authentic district voices to the greater community.

Launched last fall, the Panthers’ Perspective has already helped recruit a new athletic director, shared important federal student aid information for seniors, boosted attendance at the last football game of the season, and celebrated special education students on their recent regionals win at Special Olympics.

Students share episodes on the Panthers’ Perspective Instagram and Facebook pages, where episodes reach fellow students, parents, and the greater community. Aransas Pass ISD, which serves about 1,700 students, is located in the coastal town of the same name.

In under a year, the team has received great feedback, with people eager to participate and share their story.

 “We’re trying to change our school’s culture, make it even more positive and have students be more involved,” said Audisey Sanchez, a podcast staff member and the 2024-25 valedictorian for Aransas Pass High School.

Building a Podcast From Scratch

In what was originally an old home economics kitchen, Aransas Pass High School podcast staff created a studio from scratch using a shower curtain for a backdrop, two chairs, and black butcher paper for the floor. The episodes vary in length, from 15 minutes on average to the 45-minute TASB Governance Camp special, where students recorded an episode while sharing their podcast with districts across the state.

“The example these students have set has made others want to join and be a part of it,” said Liz Worley, the advisor for the podcast and the high school yearbook.

Half the team graduated this spring, but they felt good knowing they are leaving a new opportunity for the next generation of students to further improve and develop. Next year, there will be 15 more students to help with the enterprise, and with a shot at greater funding from the Aransas Pass ISD Education Foundation and community-sponsored ad time, they may be able to take their show on the road.

The best part? Students are not only learning life skills like teamwork, budgeting, and marketing, but also how to have a voice in a digital-first world.

“This podcast gave our students a voice. It’s really helped them explain who they are and what kind of district we are,” Worley said. “They have the power to speak, to share their voice, within reason, and we do not get involved,” Worley added. “They choose the topics. It’s complete autonomy and trust. I know I can trust these five with anything.”