From Classroom Project to National Broadcast: A Student-Driven Story of Passion and Surprise Recognition

Last October, students from the media production class at The Overlake School, led by instructor Chris Schwalm, reached out to photographer Scott Rinckenberger with the idea to feature his work as a story of art bringing people together. The school is part of the PBS High School Journalism Training Program, and Scott eagerly agreed to collaborate.

He met with the students at his gallery for an interview and filming in the area. The students then went to work; together they created a segment highlighting one of his recent projects, Forest Abides — A body of work that captures the unexpected beauty and new life growing from nurse stumps left behind by logging over a century ago in the Snoqualmie Valley.

Fast forward to March 2026, and their hard work paid off with the ultimate recognition of their efforts: the piece was selected for live broadcast on PBS NewsHour, a national stage with a viewership of over a million people. The piece aired fittingly on Earth Day (April 21, 2026). For these students and their program, it was a major win.

“The segment highlights his passion for the natural world,” noted PBS NewsHour’s Amna Nawaz, “and features his body of work on Snoqualmie Valley nurse stumps, which captures how trees logged more than a century ago can be surprising sources of inspiration and hope.”

See the PBS story and transcript here.

Scott was equally thrilled when he saw the broadcast—just a week after it aired—from the remote wilderness of the Canadian coastal mountains. (More on his adventures there later!)

“The kids did such a wonderful job with the piece, and I’m thrilled that they get to experience national broadcast recognition!” he shared.

Serendipity struck again: the piece aired shortly after Scott had visited The Overlake School’s Upper School to present his outdoor journey— as a professional athlete, and as a career photographer—and left students with this advice:

“Do what you love—the energy you put into the universe is most potent when it’s fueled by joy and love.”

"Many lovely folks have been reaching out to connect around the piece because they learned about my gallery via the PBS broadcast. What a great way to connect with like-minded nature lovers. Exactly what I’m trying to accomplish with my work and gallery space!" - Scott Rinckenberger