Spring 2024
Spring is here, really. I am thrilled to share with you the latest news and updates from our school!
Our students, faculty, alumni, and staff are the driving force behind our school’s success. Two of our graduates received seven Canadian Screen Award nominations, and two journalism students are finalists for the Ontario Community Newspaper Awards. Our Advertising students celebrated a podium finish at the Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition; those are just a few accolades. Our PR students held an event to raise funds for 360 Kids, which supports at-risk and homeless youth. Our Sports Journalism students took their rightful place alongside major news outlets at a Paralympic Games media event and in Dunedin for Major League Baseball Spring Training and so much more.
Let’s embrace the spirit of spring as a time of renewal and possibility. Together, let’s continue to foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity that empowers each member of our school to reach their potential. As always, I am grateful for your continued support and contributions to our community. Here’s to a season filled with creativity, growth, and endless possibilities!
- Nate Horowitz
FROM IDEA TO REALITY: GAME - DEVELOPMENT STUDENTS HELP MAKE A HOLIDAY WISH COME TRUE
Our story begins with a unique request from a mother named Nina that transformed a typical year-end Jam Week for students in the Game - Development program into a heartwarming holiday surprise for her young son, Jakob.
It all started when Jakob's mother, Nina, reached out to Brian Sinasac, the Program Coordinator, looking for students who could create a video game based on two imaginary monkey characters Jakob had been drawing and writing about - an item on his holiday wish list. After discussing the idea with his students, they agreed to switch gears and make Jakob's characters the theme for Jam Week.
"Everyone in the class immediately said yes," shares Caleb Draper, who worked on the game. "It was wonderful to see everyone come together to make a kid's Christmas."
Jakob and his family were invited to the campus to experience the video games crafted by the students. Their joy and amazement at seeing Jakob’s cherished imaginary characters brought to life was palpable, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.
GRAD PROFILE
CAMILLE LAWRENCE
Camille Lawrence, a 2016 Children's Media program graduate, has been deeply involved in the film and television industry for several years.
Her more recent work includes writing and directing episodes for a popular series called Sunny's Quest that airs on TVO Kids, which tells first-person stories told by Black children from across the country, as well as taking on the roles of Director, Writer, and Producer on the web series: The Black Business Catalyst Project.
Having set her career aspirations as early as grade 9, as evidenced by her listing of "Film and Television Production" as her school yearbook career aspirations, Camille has since taken on incredible opportunities that range from working in the animation/VFX world for several years to live-action and more. She has worked on several popular shows, such as The Umbrella Academy as the Executive Producer's Associate and The Amazing Race Canada as a Story Producer, to name a few.
The projects that Camille has worked on are incredible and a testament to her talent and dedication in this industry. We can't wait to see where her journey takes her next!
ADVERTISING STUDENTS EARN A PODIUM FINISH AT THE ONTARIO COLLEGES MARKETING COMPETITION
Six students from our Advertising and Marketing Communications Management program arrived in The Blue Mountains to participate in the Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition (OCMC), representing Centennial as one of the 12 schools that competed.
The competition was case-study-based, involving real-world business problems for various clients, and students paired off to compete in the following three categories: Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications, and Advanced Marketing Strategy.
Up against large teams with significant training and experience at OCMC, Centennial ranked 3rd in the Advanced Marketing Strategy category!
Devon Feyen, Program Coordinator, shares, "The three teams of students worked incredibly hard leading up to the competition and showed their passion and dedication to improving their skills. Our win was a team effort, with Sam and Tina delivering a stellar presentation. I am incredibly proud of our students and can't say enough good things about this experience overall."
JOURNALISM STUDENTS AND THE TORONTO OBSERVER NOMINATED FOR 2024 OCNA AWARDS
We are excited to announce that two of our journalism students are finalists for awards in the Student News Writing category offered through the Ontario Community Newspaper Association.
Sin Wan (Cindy) Chim, a former student in the Contemporary Journalism program, is a finalist for a story she wrote on Toronto's mayoral by-election.
Maria Palacios, a current student in the Journalism advanced diploma program, is a finalist for a story she wrote about an advocacy group in East York that supports refugees in Indonesia.
The Toronto Observer, staffed by students in our Journalism program, is also up for an award under the "Best College/University Newspaper Website" category.
GRADUATE AYSANABEE TAKES HOME TWO JUNO'S!
We are thrilled to announce that Aysanabee, a Journalism program graduate, won Songwriter of the Year, while his album, Here and Now, won Alternative Album of the Year at this year’s Juno Awards!
Aysanabee’s journey into music is incredible, and we are so proud to follow along! Check out his performance from the night below.
CENTENNIAL GRADS NOMINATED FOR SEVEN 2024 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS
We are incredibly proud to share that two graduates, Samantha MacAdam and Khalilah Brooks, have been nominated at this year's Canadian Screen Awards!
Samantha, a 2006 Broadcasting grad, has been nominated in the "Best Direction, TV Movie" category for the film she directed, Fashionably In Love.
Khalilah, a 2019 Children’s Media graduate, and her show Aunty B's House, which airs on CBC Gem and CBC Kids, has been nominated for six awards across multiple categories!
PR STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR 360° KIDS THROUGH THEIR NIGHT OF KINDNESS STORYWORKS CAMPAIGN
Students in our Public Relations - Corporate Communications program raised money for 360° Kids, a non-profit that works to improve the lives of homeless and at-risk children and youth in York Region.
In a collaborative effort to amplify this cause, the students partnered with 360°kids for their Storyworks campaign. They launched a public relations campaign "Night of Kindness” featuring a one-week Random Acts of Kindness Challenge on social media to build momentum in the lead-up for the 360°Experience. This campaign aimed to garner more attention and donations for 360°kids as well as encourage others to participate in the 360°Experience.
The students hosted a “satellite” 360°Experience in the courtyard at the Story Arts Centre on Thursday, February 29. The students braved the cold and intermittently stepped out onto the streets to partake in the challenges provided by their client from the event's main site.
FACULTY Q&A
LISA WHITTINGTON-HILL
"I started my first magazine when I was seven. It was called Pets and covered all my neighbourhood’s dogs, cats, and hamsters. Sadly, it only lasted one issue and had a very small readership (my Mom)," shares Lisa Whittington-Hill, an instructor in our Publishing - Book, Magazine and Electronic program. "I was always interested in magazines and writing from an early age."
While Pets magazine may have hit the breaks at a young age, Lisa's career in writing and publishing flourished. Her writing has appeared in a range of popular online publications, she is the Publisher of This Magazine, and the author of two books including Girls, Interrupted: How Pop Culture is Failing Women.
JOURNALISM STUDENTS VISIT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO COVER COMMUNITY PROJECT
Journalism graduates Marcia Dubsky and Luis Felipe Mussalem participated in an incredible opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic to put their storytelling skills into practice.
It started with a callout to fifth-semester Journalism students to document a several-year project students in Centennial's Community Development Work program initiated, which focused on the coffee-growing community of Pedro García, a city in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Luis and Marcia were selected, and just ten days later, they jetted off.
"We came up with an Instagram page, looked at previous footage of the community and, with that, came up with a colour palette and a brand for them. The goal is to hand the account to the Pedro García community once the project is done (in 2028), so we wanted it to represent them the best we could," Luis explains.
"I wanted to take part in the project because I wanted to take on a new challenge in my life—do something that would take me out of my comfort zone. lthough I felt scared and nervous, taking this opportunity was one of my best decisions. It opened and still opens so many doors for me," Marcia shares.
ANIMATION - 3D JAM WAS A GREAT SUCCESS
The opportunity to showcase your work to supportive peers is always a rewarding experience, and that's exactly what took place at the Animation Jam in our Animation-3D program.
"Animation jams involve teams of animators working to complete short films in a limited amount of time," Dalibor Dejanović, a professor in the program, shares. This year's theme was "This is us," the goal was for students to explore what animation means to them from their perspective.
Students were divided into groups to work on their animations and the outcome was nothing short of amazing! Irina Shikhovtsova, a student who participated, shares, "I absolutely loved the Animation Jam experience and gained the key skills of effective teamwork and meeting tight deadlines. We were able to bring our idea to life thanks to the knowledge we acquired in our program."
GRADUATE Q&A
ANIMATION - 3D GRAD NISARG SUTHAR WORKS ON AWARD-WINNING PROJECT
Nisarg Suthar, a 2015 graduate of our Animation—3D program, has been immersed in the animation industry for several years, working in various capacities on projects such as WandaVision, Wednesday, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and more.
"Over the years, many of my colleagues have graduated from Centennial, and I'm pleased to see how the institution has played a vital role in developing the visual effects industry in Toronto." he shares. "Centennial consistently delivers high-quality education to its students, contributing significantly to the growth and success of the industry in our city."
Nisarg is a highly skilled Lighting Supervisor, currently working at Folks VFX. He has been involved in numerous projects, but one of the more recent projects that stands out is his work on the Sci-Fi/Action film "The Creator." Nisarg and some of his colleagues recently received a prestigious VES Award from the Visual Effects Society for their outstanding contributions to the film.
He shares, "I felt a sense of pride because we represented Toronto, which, despite the exceptional quality of work produced by local studios, isn't as prominent in the visual effects industry as it should be. Looking ahead, I hope for more wins for my peers in Toronto's visual effects community, as they also deserve greater recognition for their outstanding contributions.”
SPORTS JOURNALISM STUDENTS INTERVIEW ATHLETES AS PART OF THE PARALYMPIC GAMES
Students in our Sports Journalism program had the opportunity to participate in the 2024 Canadian Paralympic Association “Car Wash,” featuring members of the 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team, preparing for Paris this August.
Malcolm Kelly, Program Coordinator, explains that this event brings together media interviews from Canadian Press, Sun Media, magazines, broadcast networks, and more to interview each of the 17 athletes, which was an excellent opportunity to secure interviews as we get closer to the Paralympics.
Students received their own room, as did each outlet, and the athletes went from location to location every half hour, hence the "car wash" setup.
"Our program provides an escort for each athlete, helping keep them on schedule, building a relationship and ensuring" Malcolm adds. "At the same time, because our relationship with the CPC [Canadian Paralympic Committee] goes back to 2015—when we dedicated our program to para-sports—we are allowed our own interview room where each of the 17 athletes come through. We use the interviews with our broadcast and digital coverage of the Paralympics in August."
GRADUATE Q&A
CAMILLA FARAGALLI AWARDED THE 2024 JOAN DONALDSON CBC NEWS SCHOLARSHIP
Camilla Faragalli, a 2023 graduate of our Contemporary Journalism program, has been awarded a prestigious Joan Donaldson CBC News Scholarship!
The scholarship term is May through August, and scholars develop expertise working across digital, radio, and TV platforms at CBC.
Camilla felt "overwhelming joy and gratitude, disbelief and pure excitement" when she first found out the news.
Now, reflecting on her soon-to-be placement, she shares, “I’m most looking forward to returning to a world co-habited by some of the best journalists and producers in the country; to receiving their mentorship and to being inspired every day by the people around me; to forging new connections; to the adventure and thrill that inherently comes with living and working somewhere new, and of course, to the opportunity to be part of telling stories that matter.”
Congratulations to Camilla on this outstanding accomplishment and the Centennial faculty who have supported her along the way.
SPORTS JOURNALISM STUDENTS COVER MLB SPRING TRAINING AND NCAA ATHLETES FROM FLORIDA
The much-anticipated trip to Tampa, Florida is one of the major highlights of the Sports Journalism program, as it is just one of the ways students can apply their learning in a real-world setting.
This year's trip maintained the well-deserved hype, as students covered Major League Baseball (MLB) Spring Training and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes.
Arts Management, Arts Education and Museum and Cultural Management students, graduates and faculty making an impact with Arts Ahead, Toronto Arts Council, The National Ballet of Canada and Arts Connect
ARTS AHEAD '24
ARTS MANAGEMENT STUDENTS ORGANIZE ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ARTS AHEAD SYMPOSIUM
Arts Ahead is always an exciting time in the Arts Management program. Students work collaboratively to put together an incredible symposium, which includes scouting a location, organizing the theme, deciding who the speakers will be and what workshops will take place, and more.
Last year, we had two students (now graduates) in the Arts Management program, Reid and Charmian, on our podcast, Storyteller In-Depth, to talk about the ins and outs of this year-end symposium. Listen here.
This year's theme was "Interweaving Threads: Cultural Collaboration in the Arts." Reflecting on how things went, Emma Morin, part of the Operations team, says, "I was a bit nervous the day of the symposium, but it was mostly excitement. It was so great to see all our hard work over the past few months finally come to life. The whole day went so well; I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better."
"2024 marked the 9th edition of Arts Ahead, and that is quite something, and so was this year's cohort," Program Coordinator Rebecca Peirson shares. "It's all about building partnerships in the arts and Arts Ahead is a mighty fine example of this."
Congratulations to the students involved in such an incredible symposium!
FAULTY Q&A
Rupal Shah
Rupal Shah, an instructor in our Arts Management program, was named the new Director, Policy & Programs for Toronto Arts Council!
"I came back to Toronto Arts Council to take on the role after about three years away. When I left the Council in 2020, it was a different world and, in some ways, a different arts community. I'm still getting acclimatized to the "new normal." It's been exciting for me to re-engage with a familiar place that I love, but in a whole new way," she shares.
Rupal is a highly experienced professional with more than two decades of experience leading, supporting, and collaborating with artists and communities, and it all started with a passion for theatre. She started by taking on several roles, from stage manager to working backstage technical/event support to being a tour manager and more.
"After a few years, I realized that all those positions had led me towards theatre producing. I spent several years as an arts administrator and producer at places like Obsidian Theatre and Nightswimming. Through those positions, I found that supporting artists and their process was extremely rewarding. I was happiest when I was able to help artists and creators fulfill their vision."
"Photo taken by Denise Militzer for locallove.ca"
CONNECTIONS BEYOND THE COHORT
How two Arts Management graduates started working together at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre.
The connections you make with your colleagues during your program at Centennial are invaluable and can extend beyond graduation into the workforce. This is particularly true for Arts Management grads: Gemma Bordonaro, a Production Manager at Harbourfront Centre who graduated in 2019, and Pam Briz, a Producer at Harbourfront Centre who graduated in 2017.
"Gemma is in the production department, so we often work very closely on events. I believe she started after me and I thought it was great when I found out she came from the same program! I knew she would be great to work with," Pam shares.
However, the connections continue beyond there. Gemma has also worked with Arts Management grads Rebecca Reid, who works with The Power Plant, and Allie Fenwick, who works with the Toronto International Festival of Authors.
Gemma shares, "I think something incredible about the program is that it sets you up for the real world. It provides you with connections and experience like no other that you can carry into the workforce. That is proof when you see that four grads are working for such a large organization like the Harbourfront Centre and its subsidiaries, TPP and TIFA. I adore working with all of them, as we are all like minded, and came from the same background."
GRAD PROFILE
Nipun Kudalkar
"In August 2019, I arrived in Canada with aspirations of furthering my career in the arts industry." shares Nipun Kudalkar, a two-time Centennial grad.
Nipun began his Centennial journey with our Museum and Cultural Management program and says graduating "served as a gateway to opportunities in the arts logistics industry." However, right around that time, the pandemic's impact on job availability resulted in him looking to build upon his skills. Nipun switched gears and returned to school to enroll in the Arts Managementprogram, from which he graduated in 2021.
Now working as the Officer, Prospect Research at the National Ballet of Canada, Nipun positively reflects back on his time at Centennial and uses the skills he obtained in his career today.
"One of the key strengths of the program lies in its emphasis on experiential learning. Students are provided ample opportunities to engage directly with art organizations, gaining firsthand experience in various sectors of the arts industry. This exposure extends beyond a single sector, enabling students to explore multiple facets of the arts and develop a well-rounded understanding of the field," he shares.
ARTS EDUCATION STUDENTS START ARTS CONNECT
Introducing Arts Connect, a campus hub for creativity and community. Founded by Arts Education and Community Engagement students Gabby and Tran. Its mission is simple: to celebrate all art forms and welcome everyone, regardless of skill or background. From painting to dancing, we offer a diverse range of activities. Join us for monthly workshops where laughter and learning abound. More than just a club, Arts Connect is where friendships blossom and creativity flourishes.
Discover the magic with us at the Story Arts Centre. Let's explore, create, and inspire together!
The first-year Photography program photojournalism students present a glimpse into some of Centennial College's creative programs. These behind-the-scenes photographs document their creative colleagues in the Dance Performance, Theatre Arts and Performance, Fine Arts Studio, Art and Design Fundamentals and Broadcasting - Film, Television, Digital Media and Radio programs.
Tobi Asmoucha, instructor in the program, shares, “The images were taken from an assignment that focused on the behind-the-scenes moments of creative students at Centennial College. The students made work prints of their top five photos, and we discussed as a class which one worked best for the exhibition. It was a great exercise in editing and sequencing imagery. I also felt meeting other students from the different programs was a good idea to build a larger creative community."
CENTENNIAL PROGRAMS EARN TOP RANKS IN "CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN ONTARIO'S PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION" STUDY
Centennial College's Dance Performance program ranked number one in the Most Culturally Diverse Performing Arts College Program in Ontario, while the Music Industry Arts and Performance program ranked number four among college programs, making it the highest-ranking music-only program in the province on the list.
These results are from Community Researchers' "Cultural Diversity in Ontario's Performing Arts Education" study, available here.
SCARBOROUGH'S GREATER GOLDEN MILE IN THE SPOTLIGHT THROUGH JOURNALISM PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED WAY
For months now, some of our Journalism students and graduates have been plugging away on an extracurricular project that was just delivered to 22,000 homes!
Our Journalism program teamed up with United Way Greater Toronto to share news about five innovative programs designed to support Scarborough’s Greater Golden Mile residents and help them thrive during a significant transition planned for their neighbourhood in the years ahead.
NEW SONY CAMERAS DEBUT IN OUR TV STUDIO
Our campus studio got an upgrade! New Sony studio cameras were installed during Engagement Week to replace the original broadcast equipment that had served students well for 15 years. With some technical issues recently, it was determined that further repairs or replacements were not possible. So, it was time to make the switch and upgrade.
The studio cameras installed in our main television studio are an industry standard. Broadcasters in the GTA are currently using them, and we know those students interested in camera and studio work will certainly have an advantage after having worked on the equipment here,” Gillian Edwards, Manager - Media Technology Facilities explains. “As students go on placement or enter into the broadcast workforce, they can be confident in their knowledge of the studio environment and count on their hands-on experience.”
The upgrades are done, and turn things over to our incredibly talented storytellers.
Our CREATIVE Summer Camps FOR KIDS ARe Back!
Are you looking for fun and enriching activities for your kids to do this summer? Are you looking for fun and enriching activities for your kids to do this summer? Then you don’t want to miss our summer camp programming!
We have options great for those interested in media, arts, animation and design, and performing arts, and they're all led by industry professionals who guide campers through the creative process.
Storyteller In-depth podcast passes the 20-EPISODE MARK!
We are currently on the 24th episode of our podcast, Storyteller In-Depth! We've had the chance to interview so many incredible grads and instructors on a variety of topics.
From episodes on artificial intelligence to writing a book to starting a business and so much more in between, be sure to check out our episodes here or on your favourite podcast-listening platform.