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Kuberski - now a junior at Davis County High School - went to the principal's office with a couple of his buddies just over two years ago to show off a sports video the three of them had put together. The video made an impression and the three of them - Kuberski and schoolmates Blaise Mikels and Ryan Boatman - were encouraged to make some more.
What has become known as "Mustang Media" was born.
"We had toyed with the idea for some time," said Kuberski. "But that was the moment when we started to take it seriously."
These days, each morning at Davis County High School, Kuberski and a few other students telecast a 5-10 minute news program throughout the school. From a makeshift studio on the top floor, with state-of-the-art equipment, Kuberski and his news team feed their fellow students audio and video information concerning Davis County academic, athletic and extracurricular activities. Coverage of school events big and small is beamed into most classrooms. Kuberski tries to make it look and sound as professional as possible, and the students, teachers and administration at Davis County are usually very appreciative.
"We're learning journalism, but it's a fun way of doing it," Kuberski said.
Mustang Media is now an accredited part of the extended learning curriculum at Davis County, and the broadcasts - which look and sound more and more like "real" television news broadcasts each day - have become a part of life for the members of the Davis County High School community.
It hasn't been an easy project. Kuberski took it upon himself to hit the books and research the Internet to find out just what kind of equipment would be necessary for the endeavor. He approached teachers and experts from the business and media community for guidance and advice. He traveled to schools that already had media programs comparable to the one he envisioned to learn just how they were doing it.
He even went before the Davis County Board of Education - all by himself - to share his vision and request funding from the supportive - but perpetually skeptical - group of elected officials.
"It sounds like it would have been scary, but it really wasn't," Kuberski said. "I was comfortable. I figured that they were all people just like me, and if I was prepared, they would listen to me."
He was prepared, and the school board was impressed. Two years later, Kuberski, 17, estimates he spends about 20 hours per week - equal to a part time job - working on Mustang Media projects. Besides the daily morning news show, the class puts together videos of things like school musicals, weddings and short films. Big events like homecoming, prom and graduation are burned to DVD for posterity, and teachers come to Kuberski if they need any kind of video made for educational purposes.
For Kuberski, the hard work is worth it.
"I love doing this stuff," he said. "I hope that other students realize that they can take some initiative like that. If there's something that they love doing - but maybe the school doesn't have an exact program for it - maybe they can take it upon themselves to get the program started."
Kuberski is quick to acknowledge the help he receives from Davis County faculty and staff, particularly Michelle Williams, who has helped Kuberski and the other students guide the project. Williams puts a tremendous amount of work into Mustang Media herself, according to Kuberski.
"We also get a tremendous amount of support, feedback and respect from everyone in the school. The students just love it," said Kuberski.
The Mustang Media experience is certain to help Kuberski, as he intends to pursue a career in broadcast journalism after graduation. His work has pointed him in the right direction, and Kuberski can also often be heard voicing color commentary on KDMU radio when the station covers Davis County athletic events. His Mustang Media news team has also been granted media credentials to several big events - most recently the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament in Des Moines - where Kuberski was able to work side-by-side with sports broadcasters and sports writers from big and small media outlets and learn how it's done. He's set his sights on being on national news someday.
"I can make it," he smiled. "This (Mustang Media) project has led me to the most success I've ever had, and it's opened up so many opportunities for me already."
Kuberski credits his parents, Jim and Jane Kuberski, with instilling in him a strong work ethic that has helped drive his efforts. He's hopeful that when he does graduate, that the next generation of Davis County students will step in and keep Mustang Media alive.
"Sometimes I worry that this will fail after I'm gone," he said. "But then I think better of it.
Someone else will take it over, and when I come back here for my 10-year reunion, there will still be Mustang Media. At least I hope so."
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