By: Digital Media and Yearbook

In the wake of phased restrictions, students find ways to make their summers soar!

Undaunted by the waves of state regulations aimed at keeping North Carolina residents safe during the summer months of the pandemic, Ravenscroft Upper School students still found ways to make their summers meaningful. In particular, Thomas Brown and Ava Kate Wall learned virtual journalism techniques.

To sharpen their journalism skills, Brown and Wall attended the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association’s summer institute. Brown took a course in online news, and Wall  was trained further in digital photography. This annual event went virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions from June 15-18, and was filmed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism. The institute seeks to offer high school students professional journalism experiences that are facilitated by trained experts in the field. 

Brown and Wall first participated in journalism classes at Ravenscroft. Brown took year-long courses in Digital Media, and Wall took Yearbook during the entirety of the 2019-2020 school year. According to Upper School journalism teacher, Tomeiko Carter, “Both Thomas and Ava Kate were go-getters in journalism. Thomas excelled in photography and videography and worked on an independent project with the Communication Department; and Ava Kate was a master of spread design. She photographed many of the after-school games for us. I felt fortunate to have such bright students be a part of the journalism team.” Digital Media and yearbook are offered as electives in the Upper School; and any Upper Schooler may sign up for them. For more information about NCSMA’s Summer Institute, contact Monica Hill, director of the program. You also may find additional information online at: https://ncsma.unc.edu/

NCSMA also holds a shorter fall institute.

Continue watching the achievements of Thomas Brown and Ava Kate Wall. Both of them are sure to be rising stars!