Tech Support: Freshman Jason Chua’s Tech Savvy Lands Him A Spot In CTV

Photo Credit: CHARLIE BLODNIEKS

BY CHARLIE BLODNIEKS

At eight years old, Jason Chua passed the double doors marked “CTV” for the first time. His older sister, Gloria Chua, was a CCHS student at the time. She had a meeting with TV production and it was the first time  Chua would walk past the entrance that captured his imagination. To a young Chua, school TV broadcasts at his elementary school consisted of the morning announcements, and a five minute blurb which people generally ignored, or, at best, forgot about shortly thereafter. The concept of having a popular show on during school filled him with a sort of dream-like wonder. Little did Chua know, this mysterious dream would later welcome him with open arms.

Throughout elementary school, Chua had an interest in all things technological. Slowly but surely, he began his ascent into the world of computers. By the time he began fourth grade, he was proficient in Adobe Photoshop, a program he taught himself simply by exploring it. Having learned Photoshop, Chua claimed that everything after came easily. In the fifth grade, his teacher even had him wear a sign reading, “No, I will not fix your computer” every time the class had to work interactively with technology.

“Some people are afraid to turn their computers off because they’re scared they won’t turn back on; I like pressing buttons just to see what happens,” Chua said.

In seventh grade, Chua joined the Pioneer Journalism staff and quickly became the go to “tech guy”. Shortly after, Chua became a well-known face around Pioneer Middle School, gaining a reputation from his daily reading of the lunch menu. Although he was an asset to the program as a staffer, he was mostly a technical expert and on-air personality. According to Chua, he was never one for writing an article or body copy; his true love became broadcast journalism, and his sights were set on CTV.

“It wasn’t a catch-phrase that Jason attached to himself overnight,” Pioneer Journalism teacher Regina Ferreira said, “Gradually, because of the on-air personality that developed over the two years, he became known as the Guy Who Makes Cafeteria Food Sound Enticing.”

Upon entering high school, Chua joined TV 1, in the hopes of one day making it to CTV. However, before having to go through the motions most must endure to make it to the program, his adept technological skills were noted, and at the beginning of the third quarter, he became the fourth student ever to make it into the program as a freshman. He is now under intensive training. According to CTV Advisor, Alfredo Pichardo, Chua is expected to become the new Technical Manager of the program for the next three years, replacing outgoing senior Wassim Hyatt.

“We saw extreme potential in him,” Pichardo said. “It’s sort of like he’s replacing Wassim.”

Despite Chua’s past as  an anchor, both he and Pichardo stated that where he’s really crucial to the program is behind the scenes. Chua’s duties include the organization of the webcast, website, app, and beyond, and while he aspires to dabble in being on the show, he’s honored just to be admitted into the award winning program as a freshman.

Chua anticipates being a part of the program for the duration of his high school career. Though his path is laid out, the possibilities of making a name for himself after initiating the first step are vast.  The double doors of his childhood may have moved, but the premise stands, sturdier than ever.

“My goal is to set and exceed expectations,” Chua said.