Lights in the PAC, projectors for conferences, sound for presentations–what happens when the man responsible for all of these systems retires? This dilemma has had Westford Academy administration relying on an especially adept and enthusiastic senior: Hayden Pelta.
With the retirement of Mark Miller, WA’s former audio-visual coordinator, Pelta has stepped up to help with some of the responsibilities Miller left behind.
Miller was instrumental to the upkeep of WA and had a long list of duties. He managed almost all of the technology related to school events both in and out of the PAC. His reach extended to WABC and the repair of most tech-related issues within the school including problems with the TVs, phones, projectors, clocks, and even the bell.
“There was so many things that he did that people didn’t even know [about], and all of a sudden when something’s not working, we turn to a person who is no longer here,” theater arts and English teacher Michael Towers said.
After Miller’s departure, his position was taken on by both Jamie Milne and Sam Feldman, the two digital learning specialists at WA. On top of their existing roles, which primarily involve the maintenance and management of school Chromebooks, they are now learning all about the PAC.
“[Feldman] does have some experience working in theaters and things along those lines, but every theater is a little bit different,” WA Principal Dan Twomey said. “Every year […] after the Summer School for the Performing Arts [uses] the space, it usually takes a week or two to get everything straightened out.”
When summer came to an end, the sound booth was cleaned out, and WA needed someone capable of making sure that things were running smoothly for the beginning of the school year. Events such as in-school presentations and faculty meetings needed an expert who knew how to smooth out the technical kinks, and that someone turned out to be Pelta.
“It was lucky for us when I saw [Pelta], because I was nervous about the opening week with new staff and new people,” Twomey said. “When [Pelta] told me that he’d be around […] to help out, that was such a relief.”
Pelta is an avid member of the WATA tech crew and, as a result, he has worked with WA’s audio-visual technology since his freshman year.
“I’m on a four person house staff team that works all the after school events, [such as] concerts, guidance presentations, and dance competitions,” Pelta said. “I would work with [Miller] on those events – I picked [things up] from him during that time.”
Throughout his high school career, Pelta’s interest in the behind-the-scenes workings of daily school functions has allowed him to develop the skills necessary to work the soundbooth and handle the complex technology.
“[Pelta] is a high school senior, he’s not an adult professional who is hired by the district. He [has], however, been part of my performing arts center staff, which is a paid position,” Towers said. “Not only is [he] incredibly smart and hard working, but he also has a wonderful effect, and is very easy to communicate with and talk to. He’s a problem solver.”
Pelta’s help couldn’t have come at a better time, as on the very first day of school, his skills were needed in order to keep a Westford Public Schools (WPS) faculty meeting running smoothly.
“On the first day of school, realizing that usually [Miller] covers [that meeting], no one was really sure what was going to happen,” Pelta said. “I showed up that morning, and it came in handy because there were some issues to solve, and from there I just stepped up where I could.”
Pelta’s assistance will not be ending soon, according to Twomey, as he will likely be a consultant for Feldman as the school year continues.
“Especially when we get into production season and WATA is doing events and productions, and they’re changing all the lights and sounds, I’m sure there’ll be more questions that Mr. Feldman will have to track down [Pelta for],” Twomey said. “He’ll probably have to lean on [Pelta] a little bit this year to help him out.”
According to Pelta, he will occasionally have to leave class for a few minutes to help with unexpected issues. Overall, he describes the balance between helping out and attending his normal school schedule completely manageable.
“It’s probably more time [for me] because I’ve got to think about coming in in the morning, making sure that [it’s] set up well, [and] if there’s a presentation, now it falls to me to make sure that things are shut off properly,” Pelta said.
Not only is WA benefitting from Pelta’s devotion, but this experience also helps him to develop some extremely useful life skills.
“It’s not really about how old you are or how many degrees you have, it’s what can you do? Can you have a conversation? What do you need tonight? That’s communication skills, interpersonal skills, and [Pelta] has and is continuing to develop these professional skills,” Towers said.
As a senior, Pelta will inevitably graduate at the end of the year. However, for the rest of his time at WA, he intends on making sure underclassmen and staff learn how to use the technology in the building as well as he can.
“[Pelta] is just being [Pelta], he’s being a good guy, [and] a responsible citizen.” Towers said.
