How Buena High School Turned Game-Day Production into Real-World Learning

A Growing Opportunity in Southern Arizona

Located in Sierra Vista, Arizona, near Fort Huachuca and just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, Sierra Vista Unified School District serves about 4,500 students across eight schools.

In a video recorded in 2022, students and district leaders shared how Daktronics technology was creating new opportunities at Buena High School and across the district.

The district offers more than 20 athletic programs, and leaders saw an opportunity to create learning experiences that reached beyond the field and into future careers.

At Buena High School, that opportunity started with a vision to give students something they wouldn't normally expect to see at the high school level.

“It's so exciting. I think we're really evolving as a school,” said former student Ariella Anteman.

Learning by Doing

For district leaders, the goal was never simply to add technology.

It was to create opportunities for students to gain real-world experience.

“Let's move school from sitting in that chair reading a book to hands-on, in the field, how do we apply it to daily life,” said Cole Colvin, who served as assistant principal and athletic director at the time of filming.

That vision took shape through the district’s athletic leadership and production programs.

Students took on meaningful responsibilities during events, building skills they could carry into college and future careers.

Students Behind the Screen Build Career-Ready Skills

Students helped create and manage the experience fans saw on game day.

According to athletic technology technician Edward Sullivan, students were involved in:

• Creating game-day graphics and content

• Developing promotional materials for athletic events

• Supporting video board operations

• Building excitement and engagement around school activities

For some students, those opportunities have reinforced future career goals.

In the 2022 video, former student Ariella Anteman explained how the experience supported her career interests: “I want to work in sports. Whether I decide to go into management or media, I believe that I can learn a lot with this class.”

Public information officer Valerie Weller connected those experiences to students’ next steps.

“Students get real-world work on what it takes to have game-day productions. They can partner with state universities and maybe find a career they weren't even thinking about.”

Building a Resume Before Graduation

As district leaders explained, one of the program’s most valuable outcomes was not what appeared on the screen. It was the experience students could take with them after graduation.

“Normally their resumes consist of community service or a sports team,” Colvin explained. “Having worked here gives them a direct line on a resume.”

That experience can help students stand out when applying for:

• Colleges and universities

• Internships

• Entry-level positions

• Careers in sports, media, communications, and event production

“That might help them get into more prestigious colleges, quicker job offers and internship opportunities,” Colvin added.

Creating Value for the Entire Community

While the student impact is significant, the district's investment is also creating value far beyond athletics.

The outdoor video board has been used for graduation ceremonies, helping showcase senior recognition messages from community leaders, including Buena alumni serving as mayor, police chief and fire chief.

The district has also expanded communication through a network of digital marquees serving schools across Sierra Vista Unified School District.

The marquees also demonstrated their value as communication tools, including during a local emergency.

“There was a fire, and Buena High School became a Red Cross shelter,” Weller said. “I was able to utilize those marquees to direct people to the shelter.”

Sponsorships That Support Students and Schools

The district's approach also created new opportunities for community partnerships.

Businesses that support the schools receive visibility across multiple district locations through digital content displayed throughout the marquee network.

At the time, Valerie Weller said the community was beginning to recognize that value: “That’s nine signs supporting our students.”

The approach demonstrated how districtwide visibility could support students while strengthening connections between schools and local businesses.

Watch the Buena High School Story

The Buena High School story remains an example of what’s possible when schools use technology as more than an enhancement to athletics.

By giving students hands-on experience, building career-ready skills, strengthening communication, and creating community value, Sierra Vista Unified School District helps students apply what they learn in meaningful ways.

Watch the full Buena High School story and explore more examples of student opportunity in Stories Beyond the Display.