Staff
Co-President Lexi Gemperle
Senior
atgemperle@acsk12.org
Hey Hi Deffers!!! My name is Lexi Gemperle, and I am a rising senior. I've been a part of Hi Def for three years now, and love to make short films, scripts and do videography at football games. I want to go to college in Washington DC, and hope that one day I can live in Italy!! My favorite movies are Gladiator and Alice in Wonderland (1950).
Personal and professional goals: My goals are to one day be a part of a roman archeological dig, see a mummy in person and have a cat named Megan Markle.
Hobbies: Writing, Reading (about the Roman Empire), nature walks, Animal Crossing, Hi Def (duh) and listening to true crime podcasts
"I'm Batman" - Batman
Co-President Evan Clarkson
Senior
edclarkson@acsk12.org
I joined Hi Def in my sophomore year and fell in love with working broadcasts. Since then, I joined staff and my love for this club has only grown. In my free time I like reading and playing video games, while still thinking of ways to improve Hi Def.
Personal and professional goals: Personally, I’d like to learn how to draw and continue learning instruments. Professionally, I’d like to either work in the film industry or the music industry.
Hobbies: Writing, reading, gaming, and playing music.
“Wouldn't the world be better off if we took nonsense more seriously?” - Marvin Yogoda
Co-Vice President Hailey Yoon
Senior
jiyoon@acsk12.org
Hi! I am Hailey, and this is my second year on staff. I really enjoyed getting experience on running this website the past year, and I am so excited for this year as well! I am always available so feel free to reach out to me any time if you have any questions.
Personal and professional goals: For personal goals, I want to become a stronger person mentally and build more trust on myself. For Hi Def this year, I want to keep pursuing professionalism and consistency to become one step closer to perfection.
Hobbies: Playing flute, reading, journaling, and watching movies.
“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” - Suzy Kassem
Co-Vice President Karson Hester
Senior
kdhester@acsk12.org
Hello, my name is Karson Hester. I am a senior attending Auburn High School in Auburn, AL. For the 2024-2025 school year, I will serve Hi-Def as one of the Vice Presidents. I also serve as the President of the Auburn High School National Honor Society Chapter. Some of my qualities include being kind, determined, and organized. I eagerly anticipate what the 2024-2025 Hi-Def CTSO will produce.
Personal and professional goals: I want to become a self-sufficient adult and that is why I strive to become a charitable person who gives back to the community and the people in the community, and my time as National Honor Society President will help me achieve this. I hope to double major in Communications and Business. I want to be able to provide for my family. I want the people who depend on me to trust and support me and for them to be as worry free as possible.
Hobbies: I enjoy reading, walking my dog, playing Pickleball and Disc Golf with my family, and watching TV Shows/Movies
"All I am I owe to my mother." - George Washington
Communications Director Kaylen Holstick
Senior
ksholstick@acsk12.org
Hi! I’m Kaylen Holstick, and I am so excited to be the communications director for Hi-Def. I can’t wait to work with everyone and make this year amazing.
Personal and professional goals: My goal is to pursue a career in computer science or a field related to technology.
Hobbies: watching TV shows, coding, reading, crocheting, and baking
“The most important thing you can do on this planet is become the realization of your own imagination.”
Sports Director Charlie McGowan
Junior
cjmcgowan@acsk12.org
I’m an upcoming junior who is very passionate about sports. I would consider myself as a good leader and a hard worker. I joined the game day team in HiDef and instantly fell in love with everything to do with it, especially play by play. I love videography, and I would consider myself mediocre at editing, but always trying to get better at it. Very excited for this upcoming year, and what’s in store for the rest of my career.
Personal and professional goals: Personally I hope I can get into a good college, and have a providing job that can raise a family. Professionally, I hope to pursue play by play and maybe make it to espn some day.
Hobbies: Golf, Videography
“Why should I even think about missing a shot before I take it?” - Micheal Jordan
Secretary of the Treasury Drew Durkin
Senior
kddurkin@acsk12.org
hi i’m drew durkin! I’m going into my senior year and have been a part of Hi Def going on 3 years. I plan on going to Auburn University to either study medicine or bioengineering! I’m the youngest of 2 and i have 2 cats. I love hanging out with my friends and going to the lake!!
Personal and professional goals: i want to better my social skills, technical and financial abilities.
Hobbies: show choir, hanging out with friends, and listening to music!
"if it costs you your peace, it’s to expensive"
Chief Engineer Trent Medley
Senior
tpmedley@acsk12.org
Chickfila employee. former farm hand. taken all three tv production classes. Intro tv fall 2022 MVP.
Personal and professional goals: Be respected, be respectful, inspire greatness and positive change and improvement in my community.
Hobbies: Edit videos, make songs
"Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future."
Director of Public Relations Anna Foster
Senior
acfoster@acsk12.org
Hi! My name is Anna Foster and I am the director of Public Relations. This is my second year in Hi-Def and I am a photographer. Other than Hi-Def, I am involved in Key Club, Tri-M, Spanish Club and I am in Choir. I am so excited for this year.
Personal and professional goals: Improve communication throughout Hi-Def and get all A’s this year
Hobbies: I love to sing, dance, take pictures, write and hang out with my friends
“A girl who is going to do BIG THINGS —cannot let small things get to her.”
Director of Photography and Videography Sarah Bailey Brown
Junior
sbbrown@acsk12.com
I’m Sarah bailey! I’m a junior and I have been with hi def for 3 years! I have been taking photos for 3 years and I’m so excited for my 4th year with hi def!
Personal and professional goals: my goals as director of photography and videography are to maximize the success of our photo and video team by supporting all school wide events, by putting our best foot forward in sideline decorum, and using our best efforts to market ourselves, our sports and our club!
Hobbies: Auburn choral company show choir, dancer at nix dance studio, painting, baking
"We’re all combinations of people we’ve loved the hardest"
Community Service Director Caroline Hardy
Junior
clhardy@acsk12.org
Hi, my name is Caroline Hardy! This is my second year in Hi-def but my first year on staff! I can’t wait to serve as community service director this year. So excited to make memories with y’all!
Personal and professional goals: Build a strong community, and become a more productive member of society.
Hobbies: Painting, photography, and listening to Taylor Swift
"No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." - Taylor Swift
Director of Marketing Cindy Niu
Senior
Cyniu@acsk12.org
Hi, my name is Cindy Niu, and I’ve been with Hi Def since the summer before junior year! I have absolutely loved doing photography with Hi Def. Whether it’s sports, show choir, or other events, I’m always thankful for the opportunity! I also enjoy all things creative- art, photography, editing, graphic design - which makes Hi Def perfect for me. I’m so excited to see what’s in store for 2024-2025!
Personal and professional goals: I aspire to learn and improve in photography, and one day make a business out of it! I also hope to spread love and joy daily and to be the reason someone smiles.
Hobbies: I enjoy shopping, listening to music, spending time with friends, art, and photography!
“No Barbie, I meant gorge!” -Raquelle
Director of Film Mollye Gray McBride
Junior
mgmcbride@acsk12.org
Hi! My name is Mollye Gray McBride! I am the film director for the 24-25 school year! I hope to educate and uplift my peers and students!
Personal and professional goals: Being a better human being, Getting my phd, and creating fun memories with me and my friends.
Hobbies: Singing, Dancing, Acting, Filming, and eating ice cream
"Intelligence without ambition is like a bird without wings" -Salvador Dali
Recruitment Director Kenadie Smith
Junior
keasmith@acsk12.org
Hey, my name is Kenadie Smith and I am going to be a junior. My favorite subject in school is math. My goal for hi def is to get as many people in hi def as I can!
Personal and professional goals: My personal goals are to have no regrets in life and make my mom proud. My professional goals is to get good grades and have a successful life and high school career.
Hobbies: Photography, babysitting
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13
Social Media Director Sophie Higgins
Senior
slhiggins@acsk12.org
Hey I’m Sophie! I’m a senior here at A-High. This is my first year with Hi-Def, and I am very excited to work with the club.
Personal and professional goals: I plan to attend college for architecture and eventually become an urban planner!
Hobbies: I love to dance and create art. I also love hanging out with my friends and going to the lake!
“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality,” -The Cheshire Cat
Director of Program Development Jake Festoso
Senior
jdfestoso@acsk12.org
I’m pretty cool and stuff. I have a pug and that’s cool. I like Travis Scott and 21 Savage. Kyrie Irving will lead us to the promised land.
Personal and professional goals: Attend Auburn University
Hobbies: Basketball, gaming, sports related activities
"Nothing in life is promised except death" -Kanye
Podcast Director Mason Van Deventer
Senior
mlvandeventer@acsk12.org
I'm Mason Van Deveneter and I'm the podcast director this year. I've been in HiDef for two years and this is will be my second year on staff. I love taking pictures of games and events around the high school! I'm so excited for this year!
Personal and professional goals: Professional goals - become a lawyer and be a photographer. Personal goals- get all A's this year
Hobbies: photography, fishing, guitar
“live laugh love.” ― Dillard
Website Director Jacks Dyer
Senior
jcdyer@acsk12.org
My name is Jackson Chandler Dyer. I’ve lived in Auburn my whole life so far. I like to draw and talk with my friends. My favorite food is either Mexican or breakfast food. I like to read but don’t have great attention span sometimes.
Personal and professional goals: I want to be able to make graphic designs as well as be able to draw characters for a living. Like being a poster/t shirt designer or a concept artist.
Hobbies: I like to draw, play video games, read if I can, and practice taekwondo
“They say our tree may never grow back, but someday something will.” -Fantastic Mr Fox
