Digital Media
Level 1 Digital Media students have been expanding on their photography skills by experimenting with aperture to better understand depth of field. By practicing these techniques, they are not only building confidence behind the camera but also refining their creative eye. This hands-on learning is helping students capture more professional-looking images while strengthening their overall photographic skills.
Level 2 students are learning the basics of editing and exploring how dynamic camera motion can transform a story. By understanding how movement creates emotion, students are seeing how every creative choice impacts the narrative. These skills are preparing them to tell more powerful and engaging visual stories.
Level 3 Students are also gaining valuable real-world experience in journalism. They are practicing how to conduct professional interviews while developing strong communication skills. They are also working on completing their Edit Mentor modules. In addition, students are also working together to produce daily Titan TV videos.
Sports Medicine
Level 1 students have been diving into the foundations of sports medicine by learning directional terms and terminology used to describe the body in space. These skills are essential for effective communication in healthcare, allowing future providers to accurately explain the location of injuries, treatments, and assessments.
Level 2 students are building on these fundamentals by practicing how to evaluate injuries both on and off the field. They are learning to observe, gather information, and apply hands-on skills that athletic trainers and healthcare professionals use in real-world situations. Our students are gaining the knowledge and practical experience needed to prepare them for future careers in healthcare, athletics, and rehabilitation.
Entrepreneurship
Year 1 - Discovery Academy: We just finished our Google Suite of tools modules where students learned & increased their proficiency in using Google products such as Google Doc, Slides, Forms and Sheets. All of which will be required for projects and assignments through the year. We then started our entrepreneurship modules. Here they are learning what it takes to be an entrepreneur, the skills, attributes, personality and mindset required to make you successful. They are also progressing in their "Logic Wed" critical, logical and strategic thinking activities. We had our first experience using 3D pens. This was in preparation for a cross curricular academy project with Mr Chambers History class where they will be required to make something from their history lesson.
Year 2 - CTE Entrepreneurship / Business: Again, here we just finished our Google Suite of tools modules where students learned & increased their proficiency in using Google products such as Google Doc, Slides, Forms and Sheets. All of which will be required for projects and assignments through the year. This was usually an activity done at the end of year 2, but it was moved so students can become more proficient to help them with projects and assignments throughout the year. Once completed we started into our Financial Literacy lessons which will cover all aspects fomr money management, budgeting, banking, financial institutions, interest, credit, debt, investing, taxes, retirement, insurance. This Is to give all student a baseline to build their financial knowledge and put them on the road to financial stability and success
Tech Theater
Later in September (after the 19th), I will have my TT2 students (1st period, 6th period, and 7th period) learning how to program lights in the booth, as well as working on re-arranging the shop for ease of use and accessibility. Currently, my TT2 students are designing and creating 3-D masks from cardboard. TT1 students are currently in Theatre Safety/OSHA-10 training.
Construction
The Academy 1 students are working on OSHA 10, and Academy 2 students are working on OSHA 30. Students are working after school to build and install the back walls to the Homecoming floats, plus other props for Homecoming. I have several Sophomores and Juniors working after school and at this time it would be too hard to pick just one student as they are all rising up to the challenge of productivity and meeting deadlines.
Field Trips
Elijah O'Leary (2024 Graduate)
"I got my first D1 football credential for UCLA vs New Mexico on Sept 12 at the Rose Bowl. I have been denied 20 times from SDSU football, 17 of 18 for UCLA football and 21 for USC football. You have to expect a lot of denials, especially since I'm not with a certified media outlet, but I keep putting in requests. And, I am working as a camera operator at Snapdragon Stadium. I'm starting to like the production as much as still camera work. Me and 4 others produced our first mini-movie in our summer class. I am in a studio production class this fall, and will finish out with advanced studio production in the spring. I should be finished in May. I don't know yet if I will go on to a 4-year. A lot depends on how much I am working. Right now, I am one of the new employees at Snapdragon so I am assigned when they don't have enough, but I hope to work my way up to get more assignments. And, then I will be gaining experience to hopefully get a full time job. After I finish my AA, I am going to apply for the UCLA Sports Media summer program. I hear it is extremely competitive with many professionals also applying, and it is also expensive ($5,500), so I'm not sure if I could get in or afford it, but we'll see."
Valeria Cardenas (2022 Graduate & Former CTE Assistant)
Shadowing Mrs. Ali at Loma Linda University
".. It was nerve-racking at first. I have always been scared of the emergency department because you never know what will happen or who is coming in. Loma Linda is a big hospital and sees multiple patients a day. When I went, it was a calm day. It wasn’t overly packed or busy. I was able to shadow Mrs. Ali and see how she assesses patients and her thought process. She determines if patients are well enough to go home that day or if they need to be admitted into the hospital for further treatment. I also watched a tongue being sutured back together (I almost passed out). Overall, it was an amazing experience and made the emergency room seem less scary than I once thought."
Student Spotlight
Aydan Mapuatuli (Digital Media)
Aydan has made an impressive start in Digital Media Level 1, showing that hard work and determination truly pay off. He approaches each assignment with focus and an eagerness to learn, whether it’s mastering new technology or developing creative projects. Aydan doesn’t shy away from challenges and uses every opportunity to improve his skills. His positive attitude, consistent effort, and willingness to go above and beyond make him a standout student and a great example for his peers.
Arrianna Church (Sports Medicine)
Arrianna Church is being honored for her outstanding dedication, positive attitude, and commitment to excellence both in and out of the classroom. She consistently demonstrates leadership, respect, and kindness toward her peers, setting an example for others to follow.In addition to excelling academically, Arrianna is actively involved in the girls soccer team. She balances her responsibilities with determination and integrity, proving that hard work and perseverance truly pay off. Her teachers describe her as responsible, motivated, and dependable, and her peers admire her supportive and encouraging spirit.
Brianna Arias Rivas (Entrepreneurship) (Period 6)
Brianna is an exceptionally bright, inquisitive and active participant in my class. She always has insightful responses and asks thought provoking questions of her own. Brianna's work is done to the highest quality and always ahead of time. Brianna is always willing to help her fellow classmates. She has an outgoing, friendly and charismatic personality. She not only shines in her academics, outside of the classroom she is the AP Calculus Club Treasurer as well as an active participant in her community. She has logged over 150 community service and volunteer hours helping those of all ages in her church and community. She is one of those students that teachers are privileged to have as part of their classes. That is why Brianna is my CTE nominee for September 2025
Kayleigh Stillman (Tech Theater)
Kayleigh's spirit of volunteerism went into helping a local area theatre group with a fully-mounted production just as the school year began! She is an amazing student and dedicated technician who will be serving as an assistant stage manager for the upcoming fall production of "Twelfth Night" here at Tahquitz High School!