High School Newspaper Club gets a new Camera through a donation by the Student Research Foundation

Why This High School Newspaper Club Received a New Digital Camera

Mrs. Avcollie’s High School Newspaper Club Gets a New Digital SLR Camera Thanks to a Donation from the Student Research Foundation

A high school newspaper needs to include photographs of school events. Plus, most high school papers today post videos on their websites and on social media.

But when it came to shooting photos and videos, a group of high school students in Terryville High School in
Terryville, CT hit a snag. Because their school’s old cameras had stopped working, students were forced to use their phones to take the pictures and videos that would accompany the articles they published.

Without a Usable Camera, Mrs. Avcollie’s Students Were Becoming Discouraged

According to Mrs. Avcollie, the teacher who supervises the newspaper club, being forced to publish articles with substandard photos was diminishing her students’ enthusiasm.

“Our Newspaper club includes mixed levels and abilities including special education students,” she writes, “a large range of academic abilities and many students who come from struggling homes. Sometimes, they have trouble just getting here. When they do attend they are extremely disengaged. They often struggle with their classes and even getting to class on time. All students deserve learning opportunities and access to information to help them become successful, contributing members of society. My students need help finding a way to engage in activities that will keep them connected to what we are doing at school . . . I hope to increase engagement and attendance for our school newspaper by getting a new camera for our club.”

So Mrs. Avcollie decided to post her need for a camera as a project on DonorsChoose.org. And now, thanks to donations from the Student Research Foundation and others, her newspaper club has a new Nikon digital SLR camera. It cost $996.47, her students love using it, and their enthusiasm for the school newspaper has soared.

Mrs. Avcollie’s High School Newspaper Club Gets a New Digital SLR Camera Thanks to a Donation from the Student Research Foundation

Thanks from Mrs. Avcollie

Dear Student Research Foundation,

All students deserve learning opportunities and access to information to help them become successful, contributing members of society. My students needed help finding a way to engage in activities that will keep them connected to what we are doing at school. The technology is helping my students learn by teaching them some basic, fundamental photography skills. In addition, students are engaging more with the daily activities in school because the camera gives them purpose. It helps connect them to the daily events in the school and offers them opportunities to attend events they then report on they may not have otherwise gone to or attended.

I think the things the students enjoy most about this new camera is the video feature. It is an exciting element that adds to our news stories, bringing events to life in a way we never could before. One student in particular really struggled at the end of last year and over the summer with some personal issues. I have seen him be able to come out of his shell and really grow by having the camera act as a safe boundary between him and his peers. The camera and his role as cameraman have really helped him blossom and find a way to offer more of himself to the world. It has been wonderful to watch unfold.

With gratitude,
Mrs. Avcollie

Mrs. Avcollie’s High School Newspaper Club Gets a New Digital SLR Camera Thanks to a Donation from the Student Research Foundation Mrs. Avcollie’s High School Newspaper Club Gets a New Digital SLR Camera Thanks to a Donation from the Student Research Foundation

Thoughts About Careers

We don’t know how many of these students will explore a career in publishing or journalism but we were happy to have played a part in bringing this opportunity to Mrs. Avcollie’s students and high school and giving everyone a little more motivation to achieve their goals.

We invite all students to explore their career options by participating in our career and college studies. Students who complete the free career test for high school students will receive information on college and career opportunities which match their interests.

We look forward to writing about the success of more DonorsChoose.org teacher projects here on the Student Research Foundation blog. Stay tuned!

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