Melissa
My name is Melissa
I use photography to show people how I see the world.
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- May 22, 13
Congratulations to DATA juniors Jonathan Serna and Israel Chavez for earning the 2013 Best Promotional Video special category award from the California Student Media Festival! Their video, SkillsUSA: Building the Future, was originally created as part of the SkillsUSA California state Digital Cinema competition where they earned the bronze medal out of 16 participating teams.
Student award winners will be honored on June 15th at theTCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - May 21, 13Congratulations to the following 2013 DATA seniors for earning over $29,000 in college scholarships!Paul Acevedo - $7975
- La Quinta Arts Foundation - $2500
- Pathways to Success - $5000
- Diane Mason Memorial - $475
Linda Ha - $7600- CV Alumnae Panhellenic Scholarship - $2300
- Elks National Foundation - $300
- Women’s Leaders Forum in partnership with Pathways to Success - $5000
Jessica Gallardo - $5000- Georgia Fogelson College Scholarship from the Palm Springs Art Museum
Courtney Stump - $5000- Pathways to Success - $5000
Fabiola Paredes Perez - $1000- National League of Pen Women- $1000
Kaylin Murphy - $1000- National League of Pen Women - $1000
Javier Correa - $1000- Fashion Group - $500
- Palm Springs Modern Committee - $500
Karolina Ruiz - $500- Fashion Group - $500
A huge thank you to DATA Counselor and Coordinator, Deborah Applebaum, for her energy in making this happen! - May 10, 13Di junior, Sebastian Vasquez, recently designed the all new EdCamp Palm Springs logo for local technology specialists from PSUSD.
The design was modeled after the original logo created by Lorenzo Ibarra who is a graduate of Camden County Technical Schools. The EdCamp Foundation encourages the redesign of the original logo to emphasize the local flavor of where the various events are held and boosts a great collection here!.EdCamp is a user-generated "unconference", designed to provide participant-driven professional development for K-12 educators around the world.
- May 09, 13
On Tuesday, May 7th, eight Di graduating senior ladies photographed the 2013 DigiCom Student and Teacher Film Festival. This is the third year that DATA Digital Imaging has provided photography for this event.ORand support DATA-SkillsUSA! - May 04, 13On April 25, 2013 Di instructor Matt Cauthron had the rare opportunity of sharing the Rio Vista Collaborations as part of an English Language Arts presentation with Adobe Education Leaders at Intel's 2013 Visionary Conference held in Washington, D.C. The conference held in partnership with Tech & Learning, aimed to take educational and corporate leaders from across the country from "talking the talk" to "walking the walk" by providing real world examples of innovative, collaborative and globally connected classrooms.
- Apr 29, 13
Cathedral City, CA - April, 26, 2013
The Digital Arts Technology Academy’s Digital Imaging program is pleased to announce that it has been named an Apple Distinguished Program for 2012-2013 school year.The Apple Distinguished Program designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, educational excellence, and demonstrate Apple’s vision of exemplary learning environments.The selection of DATA Di as an Apple Distinguished Program highlights its successes in enhancing and extending teaching and learning with thoughtful and innovative implementations of technology. Lead by Matt Cauthron, an Apple Distinguished Educator, this program “Focuses Student Creativity” by connecting a variety of digital arts technologies with local and global community collaborations. Students produce high quality professional work in photography, animation, graphic design, video, and digital books that connect student passions with real-world professional opportunities.You can learn more about the strength of this amazing program, see its successes, or download their free iBooks at www.DATA-Di.us.The Digital Arts Technology Academy at Cathedral City High School prepares students for college and career, while developing their passion for one or more digital arts areas. Students in the Academy graduate at a higher rate, are provided access to a range of technologies, interact with a variety of design, arts, and media professionals, and have attended nearly 40 different colleges and universities. Alumni have gone on to start their own businesses, become game designers, photographers, illustrators, artists, educators, medical practitioners, and work in the media.
- Apr 19, 13
53 students and four DATA teachers had an amazing experience at the 46th Annual State Leadership Conference and SkillsUSA Championships, April 4th-7th, at the Town and Country Resort down in San Diego.18 students received medals in 10 out the 15 skill and leadership competition areas entered. Four golds were earned with the opportunity to compete at the 49th Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City this June against other students from around the U.S.6 students will be representing Cathedral City and the State of California in Screen Printing Technology, Audio/Radio Production, and Promotional Bulletin Board. DATA also earned gold in Graphic Communications and had four students who donated their time as Courtesy Core volunteers.Congratulations to the follow students!Screen Printing Technology
Gold - Paul AcevedoAfter 5 years in the States!Audio / Radio Production (Team)
Gold - Sebastian Gomez and Alan Anguiano1st Place as freshmenGraphic Communications
Gold - Sebastian Vasquez
Returned as a junior to take 1st!Promotional Bulletin Board (Team)
Gold - Crystal Zacarias, Mariah Wells, Tammy Melendez
Simple designs make a difference!Career Pathway Showcase - Art, Technology, Communications (Team)
Silver - Jessica Gallardo, Melissa Munoz, Jazmin SimonThey were completely surrounded by the enemyChapter Display (Team)Silver - Kaylin Murphy, Melissa Munoz, Jazmin Simon
PDP test broke the tieCreedSilver - Antonio Arce
Our bravest freshman yet!Broadcast News Production (Team)Silver - Kaylin Murphy, Sara Lopez, Taylor Burns, Linda HaMissed Gold by .4%!Digital Cinema Production (Team)Bronze - Jonathan Serna, Isreal Chavez
Waited 12 hours after finishing to see the judgesPrepared SpeechBronze - Moises MurilloCourtesy Core VolunteersJeanette Segoviano, Geraldine Morataya, Kenia Meza, and Maria Gonzalez
SkillsUSA CA wouldn't have gone on w/out ya! - Apr 17, 13Ever thought that a digital arts classroom could partner with a local solar energy company? Well, this year DATA Digital Imaging and Hot Purple Energy teamed up to shoot "where art is happening" at the Indian Wells Arts Festival.
Di has been working with festival producer Diane Funk for three consecutive years now shooting the event with student images being used online and in print. This year we notched it up a level by staging a full green screen studio completely run on energy harnessed from the sun! Festival goers were shot on-sight by a team of 12 students over the 3-day event, then Photoshopped into this year's festival print, Trail to the Pyramids, by artists Linda and Dusty Kinman."It was amazing to know that our computers and studio lights were seamlessly being powered by the sun. It was also great to work as a team with such an enthusiastic company like HPE who truly believe in doing exciting things in our community."
-Manuel GomezDi Junior and Photo Project ManagerOR - Apr 16, 13Congratulations to Di junior Jarelle Balanzat for winning the 2013 Joe and Pamela Bonino Award for Photographic Creativity from the Palm Springs Art Museum. The annual Fine Arts Creativity Awards and Scholarships was held on Match 16, 2013 at the Museum's Annenberg Theater. This is the 2nd time that DATA Digital Imaging has won this prestigious award in recent years.
Le Parkour
Digital Image
"My name is Jarelle Balanzat, I am a Junior at Cathedral City High School and am part of the Digital Arts Technology Academy. I find it convenient that a digital image can fabricate a new reality and provide an entrirely new level of inspiration from single elements captured in various moments of time.I built this false reality of image and scanned pencil as an homage to a friend who struggles to go beyond. He is one who enjoys exploring his environment through Parkour, the art of displacement, in hopes of climbing above normality to obtain his dreams. It it is this, too, that I find to be an inspiration." - Apr 18, 13
The Digital Arts Technology Academy is honored to be the only school in California with the privilege of shooting the annual El Paseo Fashion Week four years in a row.
During the week of March 18-23, 2013, twelve DATA students worked alongside professional photographers from throughout the Southwestern U.S. to shoot the high energy event. - Apr 16, 13In addition to the 5+ years that Di students have helped to support Cahuilla CUE and the Apple Education rooms at the annual CUE conference, several joined Mr. Cauthron to present our 3rd local arts and literacy collaboration between Rio Vista Elementary and James Workman Middle schools.
Students with several years of experience spoke about their various roles to a full room of California technology specialists and presented last year's fully interactive iBook using iPad 3 and Apple TV."Not enough students have an idea that what we do in DATA means something to people in other places. It is great sharing our work with teachers from California and beyond."
-Sara Lopez, DATA Junior and iBooks Authorista - Mar 29, 13
Our 3rd multi-age, cross-media project from the Rio Vista Collaboration series is well under way! Legends of Tahquitz focuses on multiple perspectives of a local myth, while bridging this local arts & literacy effort with our 2013 Student Creative global collaboration, MyThology.
This year's project begins with three stories written by James Workman Middle School GATE English students from varying perspectives of the Tahquitz Canyon myth. From these three pieces, Di students again worked with Rio Vista Elementary 3rd graders to develop an exciting visual foundation for digital illustrations. After initial artworks were completed under the direction of PSUSD Visual Arts Specialist Louisa Castrodale, Di students then began to work in teams to create solutions for three separate animations which will be submitted to local and regional student film festivals. All media will be compiled as a fully interactive digital text for the iPad and downloadable for free from the iBookstore on iTunes.
Later this Spring, video from this project and further imagery will join our fourth Student Creative digital text alongside works from students sharing their mythological perspectives from around the globe. - Apr 16, 13
For three years, PSUSD and Cathedral City's Public Arts Commission have worked to help promote photography as part of it's educational community. This year's theme, About Face, worked in concert with world-renown local celebrity photographer Michael Childers.
The show and awards ceremony on March 16th recognized talented students for their work at elementary, middle school, and high school levels from Cathedral City schools.Congratulations to the following Di students!1st and 2nd Place Advanced - Crystal Zacarias3rd Place Advanced - Ella Ramirez1st Place Beginning and Best of Show - Kandace Jovan2nd Place Beginnig - Reesha Jessieand a huge congrats to our upcoming photo students...Willow Vega – Grade 5 - Landau ElementaryMelinee Ray, Kenia Gonzales, Erik Villa, Abigail Ortiz, Arianna Martinez, Angelica Rodriguez, Alyssa Cordero, Yullissa Rodriguez - Grade 4 – Agua Caliente ElementaryDaniel Behnam - Grade 1 - Rio Vista Elementary
Guadalupe Cortez - Grade 8 - Nellie Coffman Middle School
Isamar Meza - Grade 8 - Nellie Coffman Middle School
Alexia Marquez - Grade 6 - Nellie Coffman Middle School - Feb 27, 13On Sunday, Feb. 24th, DATA Di was invited by the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce to shoot 'paparazzi style' on the red carpet at Hollywood's Biggest Night, a live broadcast of the Oscars at the Mary Pickford Theater.
While working the event, several of the 14 students were interviewed by KESQ and DATA grad, Laura Yanez, for Oscar Fever Takes Over the Valley as well as for The Desert Sun. - Feb 27, 13
On February 20th, The Digital Arts Technology Academy took 50 CCHS freshmen and 50 incoming 8th graders from Nellie Coffman and James Workman middle schools on a VIP tour of Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Ca. This was an awesome time for all students entering the DATA proram and/or thinking about careers in arts, media, or entertainment.
While on the tour, students (and teachers) were treated to a tour of various on site shooting locations, several sets, the WB Museum, the extensive prop room, and the car warehouse showcasing vehicles from WB films. The entire experience provided a first hand look into the history of film and TV, as well as one of California's leading industries. - Feb 06, 13Congratulations to the following DATA Di students who were recognized by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers as 2013 Scholastic Art award winners. Gold Keys recipients' artwork advances to New York to be considered for National recognition. An awards show and gallery reception will be held on February 28th from 5:30-7:30 at the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art at California State University, San Bernardino.Gold Keys
Emilia Jimenez,
Winter in New York
Digital Photograph
Nancy Zavala,
Dia de Los Muertos
Digital IllustrationSilver Keys
Branden Joven (3d Rendering)Denisse Gonzalez (Photography)Geraldine Morataya (Photography)Leslie Rocha (Photography)Manuel Gomez (Photography)Honorable MentionsCristian Herrera, Emilia Jimenez, Maggie Arechiga, and Nancy Zavala for photographyJacquelyn Isais & Angie Ochoa for animation - Feb 07, 13
Congratulations to the 55 DATA students who earned medals at the 2013 SkillsUSA California Region 6 skill and leadership competitions!
They won 26 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in 15 individual and team events over the two Saturdays at San Bernardino Valley College. 56 total students (up from 40 in 2012) qualified to advance to the state competitions at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego this April.Leadership EventsPrepared SpeechGold - Moises MurilloCreedGold - Antonio ArceQuiz Bowl (Team)Gold - Christian Orduno, Alex Eisman, Moises Murillo & Kyel bullenChapter Display (Team)Gold - Marina Texel, Mariah Wells & Narcisso BarraganSilver - Nancy Zavala, Maggie Arechiga & Jazmin OrozcoBronze - Melissa Munoz, Kaylin Murphy & Jazmin SimonAME Career Pathway Showcase (Team)Gold - Jessica Gallardo, Nancy Zavala & Melissa MunozPromotional Bulletin Board (Team)Gold - Crystal Zacarias, Mariah Wells & Tammy MelendezSilver - Yolanda Cortez, Denys Loaiza & Andrea AlvarezSkill EventsDigital Cinema (Team)Gold - Jarelle Balanzat & Melissa MedinaSilver - Jonathan Serna3D Visualization (Team)Gold - Branden Joven & Alex EismanSilver - Kyle Bullen & Brady GuitterezBronze - Jason Bullen & Manuel Lopezw/3 other DATA 3D teams advancing to StatePhotographyGold - Emilia JimenezSilver - Ella RamirezBronze - Melissa GuevaraBroadcast Journalism (Team)Gold - Kaylin Murphy, Linda Ha, Taylor Burns & Sara LopezSilver - Derrick Serrano, Jessie Villareal, Kimberly Martinez & Yolanda CortezTV Video Production (Team)Gold - Andrea Alvarez & Denys LoaizaSilver - Rio Chacon & Simi ChaconBronze - Mayra Garcia & Tracy SanchezGraphic CommunicationsGold - Sebastian VasquezScreen Printing TechnologyGold - Paul AcevedoT-Shirt DesignBronze - Christian OrdunoAudio/Radio Production (Team)Gold - Sebastian Gomez & Alan Anguiano - Jan 31, 13
On December 12th, two DATA-Di groups of students visited local printing agencies in preparation for the 2012-13 SkillsUSA competition season.
In the morning, students interested in screen printing technologies had an opportunity to visit Desert Promotions in Palm Springs. Here, students had a first hand look at a production facility that handles silk screening and embroidery, as well as a peek into their new online marketing as OMG Tees.
In the afternoon, student teams focusing on large scale display printing returned to one our favorite community partners, Photo Colorgraphix in Palm Desert. New and returning competitors were introduced to back-lite and vinyl printing techniques that they could you as print media to help spread the word about SkillsUSA and the DATA program. - Jan 13, 13
DATA Digital Imaging is pleased to announce that The Rio Vista Collaborations are now available for free on iTunes in 50 stores globally!
In each fully interactive iBook you will find student artwork, video, stories, the Challenge Based Learning project, and a 'behind the scenes' of the process - All ready to go for your iPad. - Jan 13, 13On January 11th, 2008 DATA grad Bryan O'Neil stopped by the Di studio to share some techniques on getting started in video game design. Bryan, who just graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Game Design from the Art Institute and has developed two mobile gaming apps available on iTunes, provided an introduction to the Unity Game Engine to interested students in grades 9 - 12. He demonstrated and answered questions surrounding the addition of assets, developing terrain, and building out for iOS, Web, and desktop platforms.
Notes from Bryan on becoming a game developer- Discover what you are good at and make it your passion!
- Take advantage from all the amazing resources on YouTube
- Keep in mind - game design studios are in cities close to International airports
- Develop a solid portfolio because employers want to see what you can do!
Unity is a free and simple to learn game development environment which easily integrates work from 3D software, and has a huge developer community that supports the sharing of techniques.
Help support this DATA grad by checking outor by making a donation to - Jan 05, 13On October 4th, '08 DATA graduate Juan Nuno returned to the Di studio to visit students and share his experience of becoming a 3d environment artist. Juan after completing his Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Design at the Art Institute- Inland Empire, landed a job at James Cameron's Digital Domain working as a digital artist creating 3d elements for the video game industry.
While in the studio, he challenged aspiring Di game designers to a project using low polygons, color theory, original textures, and 3-point lighting. Check out The Pretty Box challenge here.
Notes on becoming a 3D Artist from Juan Nuno- Be motivated, doing the minimum never cuts it
- Take the time to create a good portfolio
- Visit and learn from 3D Forums (CG Hub, Poly Count, Game Artisans)
- Network with peers because it really is about "who you know"
- Find your niche and research it
- Broaden your ability
- Drawing and Color Theory are your foundation
- Know your tools (UDK UT3, Photoshop, Z Brush, 3D Max or Maya, After Effects)
Check out his full portfolio @ - Jan 04, 13Home after their first semester at the University of California at Santa Cruz, Banana Slugs Radu Vasilie and Kevin Rodriguez stopped by the Di studio to share a little about the Computer Science major at UCSC.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What can you tell us about the CSi program?
- Computer science requires working together with a partner towards a common goal
- Problem solving skills tend to be more important then math knowledge
- In the 1st Quarter we were already creating basic game concepts
- We are regularly visited by Apple, Google, Netflix, Lucas Arts, HP, and Microsoft
- Seminars are provided where the companies discuss requirements for employment, what to expect, and what they are looking for
- We learn what to prepare for ahead of time and are granted opportunities to ask questions
- Learning to work together in a collaborative manner
- The challenges provided by SkillsUSA
- Being friendly and open to different types of people
- Having the opportunity to be creative along with the use of technology
- CSi opportunities are B I G
- There are TONS of opportunities for game design, programming, and engineering
- Housing is expensive and limited, so start looking very early
- Go for the Cal Grant!
Learn more about - Jan 03, 13
On November 15th, 60 DATA students visited the Cal State University at Northridge and The Getty Museum. While at CSUN, they were treated to a personal tour of the Visual Arts Department by DATA Alum Leah Oakes, and met with coordinating staff of both the Cinema and Television Arts and The Center for Visual Communications (VISCOM) departments.
During the visit with VISCOM Professor Dave Moon, he stressed the importance ofwork ethic above all else
team work and collaboration
building a solid portfolio
and utilizing the power of peer networking - Nov 30, 12On Wednesday, November 28th, local photographers Ethan Kaminsky of Kaminsky Productions and Chris Miller of Imagine Imagery donated their time in between shoots to qualify Di students for the 2012-13 SkillsUSA photography competition season. Both photographers interviewed students and provided guidance in practice for the state and national levels.
Congratulations to the following students for qualifying for SkillsUSA California Region 6 Photography!Emilia JimenezElla RamirezEstaban BonillaJenni VerelaMelissa GuevaraCrystal ZacariasJanette Segoviano - Feb 07, 13
On November 8th, 50 DATA students were treated to a special tour of the Design Media Arts (DMA) department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
While at DMA, students spoke with professors and toured the photography, typography, fabrication, and game design facilities. They also recieved information on the DMA Summer Institute for high school students and how to enter the program as a freshmen based on specific portfolio criteria.
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