Last year, Michael was referred to the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center for defending himself against a bully. This allowed him to explore Interactive Media Production, a two-year Career and Technology Education (CTE) program where students discover the fundamental elements of effective visual communication including sound, video and motion graphics. Michael thrived at the Stethem Center, applied for the program, and is now a first-year student.
How has the Interactive Media Production Program helped shape your future plans?
Michael considers the situation a blessing of sorts as it allowed him to prepare for his career goal of becoming a movie producer. “After [graduation] I plan on attending The Art Institute of Washington in Arlington, Virginia to pursue a career in the media arts field,” Michael recently wrote in a career plan. Michael should be honored for his superior academics, but more importantly, his ability to overcome obstacles. He leads by example as the president of the Stethem SkillsUSA chapter and a member of the Westlake Bullying Prevention Program.
As an Interactive Media Production student, Michael has proven to be industrious and displayed creative design skills working in industry-standard programs such as the Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator and Photoshop to render images and retouch photographs. Michael is talented with operating video camera equipment and using Apple iMovie and Final Cut Pro to create digital movies. Early on, Michael quickly learned to manage his time, working under strict deadlines, and to recognize the importance of a strong work ethic, persistence, and integrity. He is one of my most reliable students, earning several “Student of the Month” awards for being a diligent student, completing assignments on time, and presenting strong effort to learn the subjects.
Michael has proven to be a creative leader, taking initiative to assist others while effectively managing his projects. Based on his grades, attendance and class participation, his academic performance in my class is superior. He has also assumed leadership roles in the school, such as a becoming a member of the Stethem Student Ambassador Team to help market career and technical education to other students. The Stethem Ambassador Team is made up of 26 students nominated by their CTE instructors representing a cross section of CTE programs and home schools and at the Open House later this school year.
SkillsUSA, an organization that prepares students for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations by emphasizing total quality at work—high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education, and pride in the dignity of work. Michael represented these qualities and naturally assumed a leadership role in the organization, winning the president position for the Stethem Center SkillsUSA chapter in 2013. One of the first steps for officers is to attend the state SkillsUSA Annual Fall Leadership Conference in Ocean City. It is here our students meet other SkillsUSA students, attended valuable leadership training sessions and had the time of their lives. Leadership sessions included etiquette, time management, parliamentary procedure, teamwork, and public speaking. Michael earned the prestigious SkillsUSA Statesman Award and plans on participating in the Broadcast News Production competition.