Through courses at the Advanced Technology Center (ATC), students further their oncoming careers as they engage with the things they love.
“I’m interested in video game character design and want to get into animation,” said senior Hayden Lopez, who attends the game character design program at the ATC.
The programs that the ATC offers cover a wide range of subjects that include architecture, digital design, computer science and much more, according to the ATC website.
In these courses, students can achieve industry certifications and college credits.
“I originally thought I was [going to] go to college for creative writing; however, I’m considering going to college for 3D animation,” said Hayden, whose motivation to improve his skills and further his career keeps him in the program.
Practical activities at the ATC helps students gain skills and prepare for their future.
“I design posters and billboards, and what we’re currently working on is our mural for a classroom [at Ocean Lakes], so they can put it on the wall,” said senior Ariel Lewis.
The ATC gives students the resources they need to advance their education in their field of choice.
“[The ATC program helps] me make thumbnails, plan out things easier and give me programs I can use to edit pictures, such as Animation Adobe or Photoshop,” said Ariel.
Though the program has a focus on technology and skills for practical careers, the program also helps students engage with art.
“I feel like I’m better at drawing, which is kind of weird for the engineering program,” said sophomore Patrick Kinser.
Ariel’s childhood interest in art led to an interest in the program.
“There are more things to art, such as marketing and how it’s going to coalesce [with design],” said Ariel.
Hayden, Ariel and Patrick all recommend the program.
“It’s really fun, and it’s nice to be around other people who are just like me, with creative minds and different perspectives,” said Ariel.
