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News Update: Friday, August 10 2007

Youth Empowering Youth documentary films

to be shown on Community TV!!!

There will be three showings on channel 25 (Comcast); or channel 71 (Charter Comm.):

6/27 1PM

7/2 9PM

7/4 7PM

Letters of Appreciation for the Youth Empowering Youth program

We would like to share with you letters received from teachers and students who have been involved with our program.

From Jenny Angelacos- Aptos High Video Teacher:

Youth Empowering Youth allowed my video students a chance to explore the power of visual communication beyond the confines of the classroom. Students involved in the documentary production project gained many valuable experiences including; working with various community members to gain insight into their documentary topics, interacting with UCSC mentors, and showcasing their documentaries as part of the Santa Cruz Film Festival. Youth Empowering Youth provided opportunities for my students to learn first- hand the impact media can have on society, and specifically our local community.

Niki Pantazis- UCSC Mentor

The reason I wanted to come to college at UC Santa Cruz was because

UCSC provides a forum where one can do something unique with their

education. There are always more teachers to learn from then just the

ones that are standing up in front of the classroom and this program,

Youth Empowering Youth, exemplified that idea. This program was

amazing because it allowed me to feel that what I am learning in the

classroom is actually applicable to the outside world, which sometimes

sitting in a classroom I question what I am doing there! The most

rewarding part of this program was connecting with and learning from

other human beings. Sometimes UCSC can feel like a bubble so it was

great to get out into the community and work with high school students

to create these documentaries. I loved every minute of it. When it was

hard it meant that I was challenging myself and I had to work to make

it to the other side so I could help the group finish the project. For

the most of this program I was laughing, being grateful I was getting

a chance to get out of the classroom to make a documentary with a

group of funny, talented and intelligent high school students. I would

recommend this program to anyone that wants to do something unique and

creative while spending time with people that you wouldn't have

otherwise gotten a chance to connect with!

Curtis Green: Watsonville High Student – Teen Pregnancy Video

It's a great extension of the ROP program, expanding

the exposure to team work and workplace skills.

Missay Contreras- Watsonville High – Are We Ready?

Youth Empowering Youth, did in fact inspire me. It inspired me to continue to do what I love and thats making films. Working on this documentary, Are We Ready?, really brought out the "real deal" in the business. From a bunch of research to interviews, to hardcore editing and coming out with a master product. I loved my team and enjoyed working with each of them. And it is true when they say, "you learn something new everyday." I definitly recomend working in this program. You learn so much about the business and have a blast doing it. Thank you to all that helped and participated in our documentary. Thank you for the memories and the experience. Take care all.

Samuel Schoonover returns to the Youth Empowering Youth program

The Youth Empowering Youth program welcomes back Samuel Schoonover! Samuel helped found our program and has rejoined our staff and board. Samuel brings with him a sincere dedication to help our youth and an enthusiasm to help effect positive change through bringing our community through supporting high school and college students collaborating together to make community relevant and progressive documentary films. This program brings together college students, high school students, their respective teachers, local film makers, local non-profit organizations, and community leaders.

Youth Empowering Youth program 2007-2008

This Fall we will begin the third year of our program. As of today three high schools will return to our program: Aptos High, San Lorenzo Valley High, and Watsonville High. We are possibly added one more high school to our program and details will be printed on this page as it develops.

Blog and Weblinks

We now have blog capability so please begin to share your ideas and your experience about film making or any important local issues, and pass our site on to your friends. We are also making available weblinks that we find interesting and relevant so please check regularly for updates. We just added links to France 24, a twenty-four hour a day TV news in English from Paris. We also have a link to the BBC. These are both excellent sources for world news from a slightly different perspective then we get from only relying upon US news services.

Help us implement our 2007-2008 program

Sponsors are needed to help us implement our third year program beginning Fall 2007. We need your financial support and donations of film equipment. Please see section above for our wish list.

Many thanks to the ongoing support of our community!!!