User:Jessnmccall/sandbox

= Jessica McCall = Jessica McCall (born 18 January 2001) is a South Australian television presenter and the host, director, producer and editor of youth-focussed TV program BTS with Jess. Promoting youth engagement in the arts community, her series began airing on Channel 44 Adelaide and Channel 31 Melbourne in April 2024. McCall is involved in various other projects including hosting events, radio shows, charity work and facilitating art workshops for young people. She studies broadcast journalism at the University of South Australia.

History
McCall was born and lives in Gawler, South Australia, 40 kilometres north of Adelaide. She has been interested and involved in the creative arts from a young age, often displaying her work at community events and exhibitions.

Throughout her teenage years, McCall developed an interest in media and storytelling. In 2021, at the age of 20, she hosted the Gawler Show, which solidified her decision to pursue a career as a television presenter. Following this experience, she commenced a Bachelor of Creative Industries in Film, TV and Journalism at the University of South Australia.

Career
In 2022, McCall approached Channel 44 Adelaide, a community television station which broadcasts content to South Australians. She proposed her idea to host and produce a program encouraging youth engagement with the arts. Following this, she developed BTS with Jess, a magazine-style documentary showcasing the behind-the-scenes processes of art creation, with a focus on youth involvement. Soon after, the pilot episode was filmed, featuring local arts events and interviews with young creatives. Throughout 2023, McCall produced Season 1, which premiered on both of Australia's community stations, Channel 44 Adelaide and Channel 31 Melbourne on April 8, 2024. Episodes continue to air weekly and are accessible on CTV+, the online streaming platform for Australian community television. In addition to BTS with Jess, McCall has established herself as an event emcee and facilitator of art workshops for young people at the Town of Gawler's Youth Space. She is involved with UniCast, the University of South Australia's student radio station, presenting shows and compering student events. She has been featured on BBBfm Radio, broadcast throughout the Gawler and Barossa regions, commentating Christmas pageants.

Following the launch of BTS with Jess, McCall has appeared in the media discussing her TV series and it's impact on young people.

Awards and Recognition
McCall has received several awards and acknowledgements for her work, including being a semi-finalist for the 2024 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards SA: Carclew Creative Achievement category, and receiving the 2024 Zonta Club of Gawler's Woman of Achievement Award. Following her work on Season 1 of BTS with Jess, she was selected by the University of South Australia to represent the institution as a Student Ambassador.