Ohio University’s most anticipated annual high school workshop took place, July 11-14, on the Athens Campus. The School of Media Arts & Studies’ fifth annual High School Media Workshop introduced high school students to the media industry and allowed them to explore topics such as audio, music, video, animation and social media.

“As opposed to previous years with nearly 100 students, this year we limited enrollment to 60,” said Dr. Karen Riggs, a professor in the School of Media Arts & Studies and the director of the MDIA High School Media Workshop.

Dr. Riggs said the reduced number of students allowed the workshop staff to focus on a quality experience. She said that because media is such a hands-on field, the students were able to gain much more knowledge by working on a smaller scale.

She also emphasized the importance and impact of the program’s student ambassadors and leaders who guide the workshop’s participants.

“When the students are learning from undergrads, they get exposure to what it is really like at Ohio University – to truly occupy that space and mindset of being in the Media School,” Dr. Riggs explained.

During the workshop, students were divided into four groups that rotated through five different core sessions which provided a sampling of the MDIA curriculum. Throughout the week, students attended sessions on music production, video production, film sound, animation and games, and social media. Students were able to write and produce their own songs, learn basic animation, create sound for a movie, and produce a short video.

Anthony DiRienzo, a student leader who attended the first MDIA High School Media Workshop while he was in high school, talked about the impact it had on him.

“When I first did this workshop, I knew I was going to Ohio University, but I was still unsure about what I should major in,” DiRienzo said. “After the program was over, not only was I sold on the University, but I knew I belonged in the School of Media Arts & Studies. And now, years later, I am leading students who are in the exact same position that I was.”  

Dr. Riggs said the biggest takeaway is that the students get to work on tangible, creative projects in Athens that they can take back home and be proud of.

“I think this year’s workshop was our best yet,” Dr. Riggs said. “The student leaders raised us to a new level and were a tremendous influence to the participants. We’ve gotten numerous emails from attendee’s parents who were so impressed and expressed their relief of not having to continue to look at other colleges.”

For more information on the High School Media Workshop, visit http://mediaschool.ohio.edu/hsmw. View student projects from this year’s workshop at http://mediaschool.ohio.edu/hsmw-news.

Story by Kelly Barrett; Photos provided by the School of Media Arts & Studies