The Basha Bear Network of Basha High School earned gold in a video production category at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, and was recognized at the Aug. 6 Chandler Unified School District Governing Board meeting. From the left are Basha Principal Marques Reischl, CTE-multi-media teacher Glenda Skalitzky, student Charles, student Jayden Reicken, student Tim and CUSD Superintendent Frank Narducci.
A Basha Bear Network video production crew recently became the first such Arizona team to win a national award.
The crew earned gold in a video production category at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.
A news release from the Chandler Unified School District stated the team is the first Arizona squad to win gold in that category at the national level in the history of the competition.
The team’s advisor, career and technical-ed teacher Glenda Skalitzky, helped recognize the team at the Aug. 6 Chandler Unified School District Governing Board meeting, She said a team of four seniors won gold at an Arizona regional competition and then competed against 29 opposing teams at nationals in Atlanta.
Skalitzky said some of the same students are among CUSD students nominated for four Emmy awards this year.
Team members Jayden Reicken and peers identified only as Tim and Charles were recognized in person at the board meeting, taking photos with their families and with Skalitzky, Basha Principal Marques Reischl and CUSD Superintendent Frank Narducci.
Reicken said the national competition is a pressure-cooker. Teams of four — two anchors and two directors — have 90 minutes to select from a list of stories, write scripts and practice, followed by 15 minutes and three takes to record a production.
Reicken thanked Skalitzky and her husband for chaperoning the trip, as well as their parents, Reischl and all others who make the network function and helped make the trip to Atlanta happen. He said a new lighting grid is a great addition to help the program.
“We fell short at state last year as juniors.” Reicken said. “So when we won state this year, we thought ‘We’re not done yet,’ and we really thought we could win gold. It was an amazing experience.”
The Basha Bear Network has won at other national competitions. The 2023-24 team had a first-place win at the Student Television Network National Competition.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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