By Christina Easter
I hope to be able to write the story of people, the way they would like their story to be told to the world when I graduate from Tri-C. Then I would like to be able to produce a film and/or a theatrical performance of people’s stories in a manner that makes the person feel glad they agreed to tell their story to the world.
Everyone has a story to tell, and many of us can learn something valuable and inspirational from another person’s perspective, experiences, and journey in life. The vast majority of people who I admire do not have fame and/or riches. They are people who appear to have had an interest in something, at probably a very young age, and pursued that interest until they achieved a high level of expertise.
A lot of these people I have met while taking courses at Tri-C. For example, Vinnie Palmer, program manager Record Arts Film Recording Arts & Technology, gave a speech during a Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) high school graduation a couple of years ago at Playhouse Square. He used a plethora of audio and music terms to describe the past and future that awaits the graduates. It was one of the most unbelievable speeches I have ever heard, especially when I consider that he probably wrote that speech himself.
I learned so much from Ed Ridley, adjunct of music while taking Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). Although the course is taught with a focus on one type of music production software, he knew the functionality of most if not all of them. Each class he answered any question asked by students and made sure the student understood his answer. Then I, unexpectedly, saw him perform with a jazz band at the Bop Stop. Ridley is a major reason why I continue to learn and practice music theory every day.
I continuously learn so much about writing, journalism, and mass media from John Kerezy, associate professor of media and journalism studies and James Izrael, program manager of student media and journalism studies. Kerezy and Izrael accent their teaching with ongoing mentoring, coaching, and opportunities which I know are priceless. If I can’t get a job and/or create a job in the writing after graduating from Tri-C, I’ve got no one to blame but myself.
I believe my hopes and dreams will come true because Tri-C has so many amazing courses and professors with an abundance of knowledge and skills. When I tell people I attend Tri-C, I always add “twenty years of experience, is twenty years of experience.” I truly believe this and do not subscribe to the belief that someone has to graduate from an Ivy League college or university to equip students with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to be successful in a chosen industry or profession.
While many educators at other colleges and universities are publishing so they won’t perish, Tri-C educators are making sure that I have a future in writing that I can envision and confidently pursue when I graduate from Tri-C.
