Known for the constant clicks of their cameras and their running of Coral Gables Senior High’s most followed social media account, CavsTV is the reliable student-run publication responsible for short-style reporting. However, what Cavaliers once knew as CavsTV is no longer. Both a change of name and journalistic focus have hit the publication, expanding Gables’ Communication Arts, Film and Digital Media academy into the world of broadcast. Founder Natalie Abrahantes, Gables alum and current rookie teacher, returned this year to give CavsTV a new spin, reviving broadcasting at Gables.
In her junior year of high school at Gables, Abrahantes began preparations with Mrs. Passwaters. Just a year later, the publication was in full effect. In its first year, CavsTV faced various struggles. Learning the ropes while also editor-in-chief, Abrahantes was not able to bring the full image she had idealized to life. Parting from the publication just as quick as she had began it, Abrahantes hoped to return to Gables after her studies to give CavsTV her full attention.
Abrahantes was given the opportunity to return to Gables to take charge of publications CavsConnect and CavsTV while sponsor Mrs. Passwaters enjoyed maternity leave. In this time, Abrahantes decided that returning to Gables as an educator and CavsTV’s sponsor was right for her.
Despite her adoration of CavsTV as a publication, Abrahantes took note of a large gap in Gables’ journalistic portfolio: broadcasting. Looking to bring positive change to the evolving publication, Abrahantes spoke individually with current CavsTV members, understanding what the future team would like to see. From classroom dynamic and organization, to program ideas and assignment cycle, Abrahantes took note of students’ concerns as to ensure a successful transition.
“I actually moved to Gables Live from CavsConnect. When I found out that broadcasting was coming back to Gables, I really began to fall back in love with becoming a news anchor. Through elementary and middle school, I was a part of my school’s broadcast program as an anchor, so I took up the opportunity to continue exploring that interest now that I can go further with it in high school,” sophomore Gabrielle Solomon said.
There was one dilemma, however; current CavsTV students had originally signed up to do photography, videography, and social media, not broadcast and scriptwriting. Passwaters and Abrahantes communicated throughout the summer, brainstorming how they would go about moving students around to accommodate their previous responsibilities. Their agreement would be that current CavsTV students could choose to join CavsConnect as a part of the media crew or make the move with Abrahantes and explore a new interest in broadcasting. A handful of students agreed to make the change, working in broadcast under the name CavsTV, though that changed just months later.
“After having spent spent my freshman and sophomore years in CavsTV, the decision to explore broadcasting with Ms. Abrahantes was tough. I had found my passion for photography and multimedia in CavsTV, but seeing other publications’ anchors at conventions really pushed me to think about the switch. I can now say that I am happy with my decision to move to the broadcast program as I became an anchor and have become involved in the inner workings of broadcasting,” junior Sophia Sol said.
The idea to shift away from the name “CavsTV” was one of Ms. Abrahantes’ attempts at separating the new broadcast program from the former’s past and clearing up confusion. Throughout the summer, Ms. Abrahantes worked closely with Michelle Hernandez, honorary Gables Live staff member and hobby editor, to curate three teasers for the reveal of the newly adopted name. CavsTV’s rebranding came to the surprise of many, including 2024-2025 staff members. Posted at 3 p.m. on July 25, 26 and 29, the videos not only got the attention of Gables students and teachers, but also that of other award-winning Florida broadcast publications.
“Ms. Abrahantes and I knew that we wanted to boost exposure for the new and improved version of what once was, which is how the teasers came about. The teasers were incredibly hard to produce, however, because both Ms. Abrahantes and I are meticulous about the smallest of details. We payed close attention not just to the video itself, but the fonts, colors, graphics, etc. It was difficult to find the balance between sleek and professional while also maintaining the Gables Live aesthetic. At the end of the day, the phone calls for hours on end and multiple critiques were worth the work, we ended up with three trailers we were incredibly happy with,” senior Michelle Hernandez said.
Now that the Gables Live name was established and all eyes were on the team, only one thing stood in the way of their success: funds. The broadcast program was started from scratch and the complex processes behind broadcast journalism came with costs. Equipment and programs, including cameras, microphones and editing softwares, can be a heavy burden on public schools’ publications. For this reason, Gables Live started a fundraiser lasting until Sept. 6 with a goal of $30,000. All funds contribute to building a strong foundation for Gables flourishing broadcast program by funding necessary equipment. Not only that, but reaching their goal will allow for publication members’ entries at state and national competitions to be covered.
Though the name change will be a tough pill for CAF&DM students to swallow, Gables Live is preparing themselves for an explosive first year. Abrahantes is aiming to use publication’s inaugural year to shape the future of Gables and CAF&DM, putting Cavaliers at the forefront of Florida student journalism.
