Since 2019 Dundalk Renaissance has partnered with Dundalk High School’s Interactive Media Productions program. The Career and Technology completer produces a monthly news program for BCPS TV called, “Dundalk High Video Magazine (DHVM).” We were excited to reach students about our community events and ways we might be able to help them or their families.
“We love to be involved in the community,” Meghan Sweeney, marketing manager at Dundalk Renaissance said. “Getting to be around the students at Dundalk High School helps us gain more prospective about what the future of Dundalk will look like and how we can continue to be a resource.”
For multimedia teacher, Christopher Wojcik, it’s another way to highlight the good work being done in an often-overlooked community.
“Our relationship with Dundalk Renaissance gives my students and I an opportunity to put Dundalk on a pedestal as a hard-working community with good people” Christopher Wojcik said. “As a lifelong resident of Dundalk and a teacher at Dundalk High School, I really applaud the work that’s done at Dundalk Renaissance and how they draw the community together to be a better community.”
Brennan Collier, a student host of the DHVM, has been interviewing Dundalk Renaissance staff since September 2022. In February, Brennan stopped by the Forge to shoot a student counseling session with Sonya Dease, our housing and financial counselor. Together they worked through how to file for college financial aid.
“Taking the steps to make a well-informed financial decision at an early age is a great first step for developing positive lasting behaviors for great financial management,” Sonya said.
When asked about the partnership with Dundalk Renaissance, Brennan expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to interview the organization and the people involved. “I’ve never really done this type of work before. It’s great to be able to interview people outside the school and work on my confidence as a host.”
Brennan initially got involved in broadcast technology after a back injury kept her out of other activities. She started out starring in commercials for the morning announcements and eventually transitioned to co-hosting the morning show and appearing on the half-hour program DHVM. She credited Mr. Wojcik, the Interactive Media teacher since 2017, with encouragement to pursue broadcasting which only help to grow her interest in the field.
While each Baltimore County public school focuses on a different element of video production, Dundalk High School focuses on journalism. During their time in the interactive media program, students learn on- air skills and how to edit a show using the Adobe Creative Cloud programs like Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects. Once they complete the program, students are able to take the Adobe Certified Associate exams to become industry- certificated experts.
The benefits of this hands-on experience to students is invaluable. “I find it uplifting and encouraging because we have good people on the crew and good morale,” Brennan said. “Working with guests like Dundalk Renaissance and, more recently, [local ice cream company] Taharka Brothers, gives me the chance to grow and experience other opportunities and people.”
Check out DHVM’s segment on college prep financial counseling session.