Competitions Push Students to Excel
“I was confused on how to submit the photos last year, but this year I know what I’m doing,” laughed Mila Vernon.
Photo by Mila Vernon
Competitions have a way of challenging students to try their hardest on an assignment while still having fun and learning. That’s what the media classes are all about.
Both Radio/TV classes are yet again taking part in the 10 Day Film Challenge. The 10 Day Film Challenge started in 2011, with only three New Jersey schools. Today it has grown into a much bigger project that includes 145 high schools, impacting 4500 students from 25 states. Like every competition, there are some rules. All groups are given a specific character with a backstory. They are also given a specific prop and line of dialog to work into the film somehow.
With all of these rules in mind, the students draw from a hat to pick the genre their film will be in. Senior Kaitlyn Neukam was placed in the group making the thriller film.
“I hope to gain better acting skills from making this film,” said Neukam. “Getting to try something new, and trying to vividly bring a character to life is so different than being behind the camera.”
Another competition that is taking place is the Josten Photo Contest, which the yearbook class competes in every year. The Jostens Photo Contest is a nationwide contest for aspiring photographers to submit their work for a chance to be published in the following year’s Jostens LookBook.
“It [the photo contest] gives me a chance to be recognized for my work,” stated senior Mila Vernon, co-editor of The “J” Yearbook. Vernon entered the contest last year, along with many others of the yearbook staff.
The LookBook is filled with ideas and inspirations regarding photography and design for yearbooks that is mailed to all yearbook programs around the United States. This year, any photo that places 1st -5th place will have the honor of being displayed in an art gallery in New York City as part of the All-American High School Film Festival-PhotoG Fest, October fifth through the seventh, 2018.
“I think it is a good opportunity for them [the students] to compete for more than just their grades,” expressed Mr. Elrod, the media class teacher, “it gives them the chance to compete at a national level.”
