Roxborough HS Showcases Film, Web Skills

Showing off their creative communication talents, Roxborough High School students put a new spin on the traditional holiday show last week.

Performing for friends, teachers and family, the teens showcased the fruits of their semester in Web Design and Cinematography classes with the third-annual Winter Showcase.

"I think public schools don't get good publicity—and neighborhood schools, like Roxborough, get hit hard. But these students are a few of our successes," Principal Stephen Brandt said.

Eighty students from the Roxborough High School Communication Academy screened PSAs and documentary films, exhibited promotional material for local bands, and shared progress of skills learned this year—and over the past three.

Teachers Debi Bender (Web Design) and Derek Stevenson (Cinematography) hosted the student showcase and voiced approval of how much the students have improved thus far this school year.

"The best part of my job is seeing what the students can do when they sit down at the computer and let their talents explode," Bender said.

On Dec. 20, first, second and third year Web design students competed among themselves for gift cards, provided by the Philadelphia Academies. Students worked on design dream houses, collages and marketing packages, Bender said.

For the film students, Stevenson had younger students create public service announcements about weighty subjects, and challenged more experienced filmmakers to make documentaries on themselves.

Winners included:

Web Design—First Year

• 3rd: Naudia Thomas
• 2nd: Khalil Jones, Nasir Topping and Austin Daniels
• 1st: Deaira Gooden and Chelsea Ryan

Web Design—Second Year

• 3rd: Jeremy Schmeltzer
• 2nd: Ty Marazas
• 1st: Samuel Robinson

Web Design—Third Year

• 3rd: Mark Matthews
• 2nd: Chad Austin and Markeith Mormon
• 1st: Guia Longasa

Cinematography Design—First Year

• 3rd: Javahn Singleton and Tyler Tillman
• 2nd: Georzian Browne and Genell Evans
• 1st: Justina McMinn and Deja Smith

Cinematography Design—Second Year

• 3rd: Cori Grobes
• 2nd: Jazmin Dogan
• 1st: Milichia Capers

Cinematography Design—Third Year

• 1st: Julie McDaniel

Visit the school's website for more information.