Focused on Careers

The classroom is converted to a photo studio. Cameras are mounted on tripods. Lighting is balanced perfectly. The background is set in the right position behind the seat. All that is left is for the subject to be poised correctly and the photographer to see the personality in the image.

Well, that is not quite all. There is the bookkeeping, the photo editing, the marketing and the numerous steps from concept to returning photos.

One of the newest approaches in Sidney High School's Career Pathways program is the “Raider Made” photography studio. The program is a multi-discipline approach, applying skills taught in different areas of existing curriculum, and applying student interests.

Tess Plummer, Sidney Schools director of student programs and Career Pathways program, said the District decided a couple of years ago to focus more on pathways, vocational programs that don't necessarily require extensive post-high school education. The pathways portion of the program has classes structured to six different areas. In the photography program, there are also several different disciplines combined. She said the Career Pathways program is trying to expand into the community.

“We've had a lot of great support from the community,” she said.

The program has been in place since this spring, starting with photographing the senior class, then photographing the fall sports teams.

“We've done all school photos, all sports,” she said. “We have not done anything outside of the school.”

The program has quick turnaround with students seeing the image before leaving the classroom studio, and photographs returned soon after that. Images are fine-tuned by graphic design students with the assistance of District photographer Donna Wiedeburg.

“I don't think we've ever had pictures back faster,” Plummer said.

The program has two photographers, Gage Yoder and Marissa Borchard. Students from the high school's marketing class help with the business side of the program. Students from the accounting class and graphics design are also involved in the Raider Maker program.

“They're amazing,” she said of the They've all just taken on the task,”

The equipment was purchased with school funds after Wiedeburg researched what is needed to for a studio.

“We were fortunate that we had some extra funds,” Plummer said.

She said the school is open to any business that wants to partner with the Career Pathways program.