![Hosting the SCLA Casptone Mentor Dinner outside allowed for more attendees on September 27, 2021 at Silver Creek. This event would’ve usually been held inside. According to Lauren Kohn, a SCLA 12 teacher, “If we have a higher number of people, as long as we can host the event outside, then that seems to be keeping every[one] safe”.](https://schsnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sxMAIGbSYGodZkqmrvTi5YWcJ1ssWA08ApkeMLpp-900x675.jpeg)
It’s clear to see the creativity of Silver Creek students on display whenever you look around our campus. Taking in the student art on display and the passion from each classroom immerses you in school spirit. Some would say that the creative bone shared by so many students here carries over to just how many Silver Creek students participate in activities at the Innovation Center (IC).
The Innovation Center’s Media Team is a group focused on producing videos for clients across the district. These videos are developed and created entirely by students, most of who attend Silver Creek as their home school. Of the 18-member team, over ten students represent Silver Creek.
Leading this team is Ginger Sheehy Tatic, Video Arts Pathway manager at the IC, and she’s noticed the number of Silver Creek students deciding to take courses at the Innovation Center.
”I think Silver Creek is so supportive of places like the Innovation Center and CETC, and so they make it a lot easier for those students to come here,” Tatic explained.
Many students taking these classes at the Innovation Center are looking for the kinds of opportunities for learning that Silver Creek just can’t offer.
“I feel like they prioritize their main courses,” Hunter Robinson, a Senior at Silver Creek and member of the Media Team says. “[At Silver Creek,] there’s no culinary class, there’s no film classes, and there’s just so many things at the Innovation Center that you just can’t do elsewhere.”
Without the same budget concerns that a full-fledged high school needs to worry about, the Innovation Center gives students more diverse class options.
Tatic has good things to say about the student body that Silver Creek brings to the Innovation Center as well. “All of the Silver Creek students that come are just fantastic, they’re all really motivated to be here. They’re all really interested in the subject matter that we’re teaching, specifically what I’m teaching with my Video Arts classes.”
A passion for the arts is often what leads students to choose to join a Project Team, expanding their horizons, learning even more about their field of interest, and even learning how to turn it into an actual job. Future employers value that kind of experience, and it’s often a reason why students from Silver Creek may consider joining the Media Team.
“[Media Team has] given me so many unique opportunities to do work, both for the team and for personal use, and it’s taught me so many new skills.” Willow Cahill, junior at Silver Creek says. “I’ve been approached by lots of teachers at Silver Creek and other staff who are like, ‘Hey, can you make a video for us?’ And it’s just given me so many opportunities, even outside of the Innovation Center.”
While SCHS does pride itself on college preparation, the Media Team at the IC is one of the many project teams that offers students real job experience to allow them to get off the ground right after high school, learn how to network with high-profile clients, and learn proper business communication.
According to Tatic, part of the success of the program among Silver Creek students can be attributed to the support the school shows for the Innovation Center, encouraging students to attend classes outside of the ones provided directly on campus.
“We just really appreciate [Silver Creek], they make our jobs so much easier by making it easier for you guys to attend,” Tatic says.
Silver Creek also has a notable presence at the Innovation Center both in and outside of classes because of their proximity to each other. Silver Creek is one of the few St. Vrain Valley School District schools that are closest to both the IC and Career Elevation and Technology Center, so it’s an easier choice for students worrying about transportation and making it to class on time.
If you look at all the factors, it makes it clearer why so many students from Silver Creek are on the Media Team at the Innovation Center. Classes are provided at the IC which just wouldn’t be possible at any other school, and the proximity of SCHS to the IC, along with students getting support from teachers and staff to attend and succeed in Innovation Center classes and extracurricular activities. It gives students looking for opportunities to advance themselves in their field a chance to gain real-world experiences and a serious job to list on their resume. With all this opportunity, it’s clear why Silver Creek students are so interested in the Innovation Center.
