SPRING VALLEY PLAYERS

Having decided filmmaking to be my path, I opted to join the Spring Valley Players, the performance arts group at my school during my freshman year of high school. As a techie, I started off my theater journey as an assistant stage manager. Through my sophomore year, I was mentored by an upperclassman on how to lead the actors, assist the director (theater teacher at the school), and coordinate backstage activities. Having taken several theater classes, including a class on directing, I was promoted to stage manager my junior year. The time I spent with the players includes some of my fondest memories at my high school and (despite the typical theater drama) I have made many bonds with people I consider to be lifelong friends.

MEDIA PRODUCTIONS (WSV NEWS SHOW)

The Media Productions crew at Spring Valley was responsible for producing a daily school news show, as well as shooting and assembling videos to be shown on the morning broadcast. Already having extensive knowledge on the usage of adobe creative suite, I spent my latter year in media productions as a mentor and a leader, helping the other students with tasks such as navigating premiere pro while allowing the teacher to focus on assembling the information for the daily broadcasts (sports scores, school updates, etc.).

PALMETTO BOYS STATE (WPBS NEWS)

Being one of five boys from my school selected to attend Palmetto Boys State was a great honor. While I was worried at first that the social/political aspect of the program would not be a strongsuit for me, I found my group as part of Palmetto Boys State's media team. The main objective of the media team was to take videos, interviews, and document life at Boys State. In addition to this, the media crew was tasked with putting on the WPBS News show, which would be played during assemblies, keeping everyone up to date on the current events happening at the program. The videos that were shot would be shown on the news show. It was a really great experience, especially considering I was working under a current film student, who was a great mentor and friend.

SVHS FILM CLUB PRESIDENT

The film club was recommended to me by my high school Art of Film teacher. Acting as a sort of book club for movies, the club operated through meetings in which movie themes, options, and activities would be discussed. Everyone would pick a movie and discussions would be held during the next meeting (it was at this time that a new theme/movie options would be discussed). Being an active member of the club for a year, I applied for an officer position in the club, writing an essay about my passion for filmmaking and about how film club acted as a sort of outlet for me to display that passion for movies. The current president at the time (also the founder of the club) read my response and handed down the club to me. Being the president of the Spring Valley Film Club was a great experience which tught me time management and delegation through management of club officers and coordination of meetings.

SAGA YEARBOOK STAFF

Joining the yearbook staff was one of the best decisions I made during my high school career. Staff members were tasked with writing various stories, compiling highlights from the year, conducting student/staff interviews, taking pictures for school events, and displaying all of this in a visually appealing way before sending off the design for printing. Being a part of this award-winning team allowed me to improve my writing skills (especially when it came to documenting stories) and helped me get out of my shell during my introverted stages (largely as a result of conducting interviews).

KOALAS LACROSSE MEDIA AND DOCUMENTATION

While Lacrosse was not my forte in high school, I saw an opportunity at the next level when my local school (Columbia College) announced that they were starting a brand new lacrosse program. I knew I did not have the skills to play at the next level, but I took the opportunity and contacted the head coach (Tom Kinney) about a possible opening on the team. He gave me a tour and was eager for me to help the team in the ways I knew how. I would utilize my media expertise to help Coach Kinney build a brand for the inaugural season of Columbia College Men's Lacrosse, as well as capture candid video throughout the season to document the growth, development, struggles, and triumphs that come with a brand-new program. Footage taken will be gathered and interviews will be conducted to form a documentary of sorts in promotion of the developing team.

LUMBEE TRIBE OF NORTH CAROLINA

Being a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe, storytelling has always been a big part of who I am. I have spent much time immersing myself in the history of the tribe, uncovering stories that remain untold. The historical silencing of oppressed voices (including those of Native descent) is what inspires me to use my passion for film to bring these stories of struggle and triumph to the mainstream, building a widespread admiration and appreciation of the lived experience of my native ancestors.