student work

Age appropriate

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 17:11:29 +0000

Age appropriate Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/01/2024 - 11:11

By Hannah Stewart (Comm'19)
Photos by Kimberly Coffin (CritMedia, StratComm’18)

Angel Mollel (CritMedia’24) is a high achiever—evident by the mosaic of various awards documenting her various academic, athletic and professional achievements. One, however, is particularly special for her: the Heartland Student Emmy for her senior capstone film.

“When they announced my name, I was in shock. I jumped right on my phone and texted my friends,” she said. “I was really passionate about making this film and the award validated the work I did, giving me the confidence to pursue documentary further.”

Mollel’s film, New Era: Maasai Coming of Age, won top honors in the short/long form nonfiction category for her film. The project, which chronicled her coming-of-age ceremony in Tanzania, was created for her senior capstone course with Associate Professor Tara Knight.

“This project really made me understand producing, editing and finding what words to use. I found myself becoming an artist because of the choices I was making.”
Angel Mollel (CritMedia'24)

“Angel came in with a clear vision that was personal, political and cross-cultural,” Knight said. “Her project really stood out because it has that command of technical craft and all the creative components.”

Mollel first moved to the United States in 2012, and when she stayed to attend college at CMCI, it meant she didn’t have a traditional coming of age ceremony. However, she has always maintained a close connection with her roots, coming home most summers to visit her family and work in her community.

Her summer 2023 trip was the chance to complete the ceremony, made all the more special since she would do so alongside some of her sisters. Knowing she would have to create a film for her senior capstone course, this was also her opportunity to share that tradition with the world.

Additionally, since she would be going through the ceremony alongside her sisters, it became the obvious choice for her project.

“I went with the mindset of ‘film as much footage as possible,’” she said. “I was trying new things, teaching my brothers and sisters who weren’t in the ceremony how to use a camera, and I interviewed my family in the days leading up to it.”

The 17-minute film covers two days’ worth of preparations and rituals. Through formal interviews and candid commentary, viewers learn about the various cultural practices—such as hair shaving and sheep blessing—associated with the ceremony.

A notable moment comes about halfway through the film, when viewers see Mollel enter a building as the words “female circumcision” are overlaid on screen. A black screen reading “This part is private” follows the clip; at the end of the piece, viewers learn no circumcision took place.

“This project really made me understand producing, editing and finding what words to use. I found myself becoming an artist because of the choices I was making,” Mollel said. “I want change for both the audience—to be curious about other cultures—and for my culture—to realize you can still practice your rituals and not harm people in the process.”

For Mollel, winning the award was the perfect way to end her senior year. It has also encouraged her to further pursue storytelling—whether through photography, like when she covered CU Buffs football games; broadcast news, like with her current job as an assistant at Fox 31; with her nonprofit 1Love; or as an independent filmmaker.

“I want to make 1Love really big, and then I want to move back to Africa and do something there,” she said. “Whether I’m telling stories or anchoring at the big news stations, I know eventually I will be going back home.”

When Angel Mollel enrolled in her capstone documentary class, she wanted to make a film she was proud of. She fulfilled the goal, with the added bonus of winning a regional Student Emmy Award.

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Capstone Showcase: Critical Media Practices

Anonymous — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:03:06 +0000

Capstone Showcase: Critical Media Practices Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/30/2021 - 13:03

CMCI's Department of Critical Media Practices warmly invites you to view their senior capstone showcase gallery for spring 2021. On May 5, meet the artists during a virtual Q&A.

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Coronavirus Moves Schools Online, Raising Equity Issues

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 22:05:38 +0000

Coronavirus Moves Schools Online, Raising Equity Issues Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/08/2020 - 16:05

Alisa Meraz-Fishbein

Alisa Meraz-Fishbein is a journalism student in the College of Media, Communication and Information at CU ��«��Ƶ. This story was written as part of a package of reporting on COVID-19 by students in Assistant Professor Christine Larson's class, Writing for the Media. All stories have been lightly edited for style and updated based on new information.

Albuquerque, New Mexico—School busses continue to operate across the nation, though without children inside. Instead, they're serving as Wi-Fi hotspots to keep students engaged during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Bus hotspots are one way in which schools have been attempting to provide equal access to students. Since the coronavirus outbreak first prompted schools to move online last spring, the importance of internet and technological devices has continued to grow. In early April, 83% of parents who responded to a Gallup poll said that their K-12 children were doing online school. However, many students do not have internet access, limiting their educational opportunities. The National Center for Education Statistics states that 14% of people ages 5-24 (common age range for students) don’t have internet access at home. As schools continue to grapple with the transition to more distance learning, they have to consider the millions of students nationwide with limited internet and technology access.

Reggie Smith, CEO of the United States Distance Learning Association, said that the “pandemic has uncovered a big gap in how universal access has been provided across America.” This gap affects the success of online learning, as students must have access to certain technologies, including reliable internet, to participate online. Schools have a duty to provide these resources to students so that equitable learning can happen, said Smith, who has noticed a rise in outreach to the distance learning association.

“We’ve had a definite surge in people attending our webinar series,” Smith said, adding that “phone calls and emails to the association have increased.” The association has been helping schools transition to online learning by providing live webinars and pre-recorded lectures, and by partnering with educational organizations to give students free learning resources.

The largest obstacle to online learning is equitable internet and technological access. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, mobile Wi-Fi units have been a way of providing this access. Albuquerque Public Schools stated on their website that administrators, with the help of the City of Albuquerque, were providing “drive-up mobile Wi-Fi units at a number of APS schools and other public locations.” The website also stated that users could drive up to 100 feet of the mobile units and access free Wi-Fi while remaining in their cars to practice social distancing. Additionally, APS has given a Chromebook to families with at least one student.

Not everyone in Albuquerque has been facing this challenge. Students at Albuquerque Academy, a private middle and high school, are required to own a laptop upon enrolling in the eighth grade––whether they purchase it themselves or are given one through financial aid. Therefore, the school hasn't faced the same problems with ensuring that all students have the proper technology. Instead, faculty can focus their energies on online education itself.

Sofia Taylor, a junior at Albuquerque Academy, said her school has been doing a great job of resuming learning.

“There is a lot of email communication; they’re super thorough about the transition,” Taylor said. “We have three-to-four Zoom classes each day, and they’re each 75-minutes long. So I still have a good amount of school,” she said.

While teachers have continued to give out letter grades, Taylor added that the homework load has significantly decreased, as teachers haven't been allowed to assign more than 20 minutes of homework per class period.

Online learning at Albuquerque High School, a member of Albuquerque Public Schools, has been starkly different. Albuquerque High School started using Google Classroom, according to teacher Mara McGough-Madueña. However, their lessons have been limited.

“At Albuquerque High, teachers have to continue to provide material. The material can’t be new, though, it can only be enrichment,” said McGough-Madueña. She added that, since not everyone has equal internet access, “it would be an equity of access problem to teach new material.”

For the same reason, teachers across the Albuquerque Public School district are no longer allowed to assign grades for assignments. Instead, everything is given a pass/fail grade. This has drastically affected the students.

Cole Romig, a junior at Albuquerque High School, has been adjusting to the online system. He said that lessons with teachers via Google Hangouts “haven’t been that beneficial; they’re just different and weird.” Unlike Albuquerque Academy, there has not been a set class schedule. Not all teachers met in realtime; most shared supplemental links and powerpoints with their students and expected them to keep up on their own time. Romig said that this resulted in a lack of purpose.

“I don’t really have an incentive to keep learning,” he said. “We aren’t getting any grades and we aren’t learning anything new, so my motivation is going away.”

Smith, of the United States Distance Learning Association, acknowledged that some students can have trouble engaging with remote learning. He suggested implementing games, scavenger hunts and social hours into the remote classroom to keep students connected and invested in school. However, not all students have had trouble remaining engaged.

“I’ve been able to focus on the classes that I’m most interested in,” said Sofia Sanchez, another Albuquerque High student. Instead of seeing online school as a way to put in less effort, Sanchez has seen it as an opportunity to learn more about her favorite subjects.

Amy Biehl High School, a charter school in Albuquerque, is somewhere in the middle in regards to online accessibility. Executive Director and teacher Stephanie Becker said that all students were given a Chromebook upon enrolling in school. Therefore, much like Albuquerque Academy, Amy Biehl faculty did not have to worry about providing students with a computer. However, Becker said that many students still did not have reliable––if any––internet access.

“We have to make sure to take students’ circumstances into account, especially now,” Becker said. “Some of my students don’t have stable Wi-Fi, so I give extensions and provide them with the material in a different way if needed.”

Amy Biehl High School began offering Zoom classes that followed the school’s regular schedule, though each class was only 30-minutes long. Becker said students were showing up to class even more so than before. Schoolwide, there has been around a 2% increase in student attendance since moving online. Becker attributed this to the fact that students have no longer had to wake up as early, get dressed and drive to school.

Although the school transitioned to pass/fail grades, Becker hasn’t found a decrease in productivity or engagement from students, she said.

“Students that normally engage continue to do so,” she said, “and those who haven’t been paying attention still don’t pay attention. It’s hard to break habits, good and bad.” For students lacking in motivation, Becker suggested meeting with someone, such as a teacher or advisor, to keep the student accountable. “Students should also remember that the material they are learning is going to be important next year. It is still relevant,” she said.

Janet Major, the board president for the United States Distance Learning Association, said she believes that the switch to online learning is dispelling doubts about its feasibility.

“I do believe that fully online learning can be done,” she said. “Attendance can be improved. People don’t have to drive to class, and they can do a lot at a distance.” For now, her primary goal continues to be ensuring that the public has access to the technology to allow distance learning to take place. The United States Distance Learning Association has been doing so by “helping people write grants for federal money,” Major said.

“Grants include things like telecom and technology, which are really important right now,” she said.

It appears that some form of online learning may be the norm for a while. However, Major believes that “by stretching their imaginations and being creative, teachers will continue to be able to provide an enriching curriculum for students.”

Photo by Andrew Neel from Pexels

As the coronavirus has shut down the nation and moved schools online, the importance of internet and technological devices continues to grow.

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A Deep Freeze and a Pandemic: How Migrant Workers in Palisade are Coping

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 20:47:38 +0000

A Deep Freeze and a Pandemic: How Migrant Workers in Palisade are Coping Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/08/2020 - 14:47

Zoe Schacht

Zoe Schacht is a journalism student in the College of Media, Communication and Information at CU ��«��Ƶ. This story was written as part of a package of reporting on COVID-19 by students in Assistant Professor Christine Larson's class, Writing for the Media. All stories have been lightly edited for style and updated based on new information.

On April 13, most of Colorado was asleep, but nestled within a valley along the Western Slope, Palisade residents nervously awaited the freeze they knew was coming. That morning, when the sun peeked over the mountains and warmed the orchards, the farmers knew the damage was done.

“Weather service told us it was coming. I was skeptical––I hoped they were wrong. They weren’t,” said Bruce Talbott, owner of the largest peach farm in Palisade.

Though the novel coronavirus had not halted most aspects of everyday life in Palisade, farmers were left reeling from a 19-degree freeze that, according to the Farm Bureau, killed an estimated 90% of the area's crops. While they knew the pandemic would cause difficulties later down the line, the freeze left farmers with the unexpected problem of deciding what would come next for their workers.

The response to COVID-19 has created a shortage of H-2A workers across the country. Though the U.S. is still allowing guestworkers to travel for work, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have tightened the requirements of who can receive an H-2A visa. According to Kim Noland, an H-2A agent for most of Palisade’s growers, only workers who have previously held an H-2A visa are allowed to work. The USCIS declined to comment on the subject.

The H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, or guestworker program, allows employers to bring in foreign workers for seasonal jobs. Palisade hosted 397 H-2A workers in 2019. Talbott currently employs 42 H-2A workers, the most in Palisade. However, the freeze has left Talbott with no need for his workers and with few choices of where to send them.

Talbott, along with other peach growers, such as Brant Harrison, opted to transfer his workers to other farms outside of the Palisade area. However, he fears that he might lose his workers to other employers for future years.

“We’ve spent years building up the crews," he said. "It’s really sad to not be able to have them stay with us for this season."

Talbott’s and Harrison’s workers rely on them for many needs. H-2A employers are required to house their guestworkers at no cost. Employers also must provide three meals a day, or cooking facilities within the provided housing along with any needed transportation.

Noland, who manages most of Palisade’s guestworkers, also owns 100 acres of peaches. Before the damaging freeze, she was concerned about maintaining social distancing amongst her employees during harvest.

“Once they get into the packing shed it’s very difficult to stay six feet apart,” Noland said.

H-2A workers make up 2 to 5% of the U.S. farm labor force, according to Farmworker Justice, a nonprofit organization that advocates for migrant worker’s rights. The H-2A program is also essential to the worker’s income. Though pay differs between employers, Noland estimates her guestworkers make 1,280% more each day at Palisade farms than they would back home in Central America, where a majority of the workers live.

Harrison first hired H-2A workers in 2019 and quickly found the group to be more reliable. The organic peach farmer refers to his experience as “a breath of fresh air” after cutting his turnover rate in half from the year before.

“This year is bad, but it isn’t something we haven’t been through before,” said Harrison, who has 40 years of orchard experience.

Harrison experienced a winter freeze early on in his farming career in 1989, he said. He later went organic in 1991, becoming the only organic peach provider in Palisade at the time. The last time the area experienced a freeze as destructive as this year's was in 1999, when most grower’s crops froze.

“I’m as disappointed as my customers. [Peaches are] one of those foods that’s enjoyable to eat and I enjoy giving people that pleasure,” Harrison said.

The Colorado Farm Bureau has reached out to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to designate Palisade as a disaster area according to Taylor Szilagyi, director of policy communications for the Bureau. Although it is not clear when the USDA will make a decision, designating Palisade a disaster area could give peach farmers aid, such as access to the USDA WHIP Plus program. The WHIP Plus program could potentially provide financial assistance to the farmers who lost their main source of income for the year.

While growers make decisions about where to send their H-2A workers and patiently await the USDA’s decision, there is still hope for the future of the essential industry.

“Agriculture is here, we’re gonna continue to grow food and make sure everybody has what they need to eat,” Szilagyi said.

Photo by Haley Black from Pexels

As of April, the novel coronavirus had not halted most aspects of everyday life in Palisade, Colorado. Instead, the area was left reeling from a 19-degree freeze that killed an estimated 90% of the area's crops, according to the Farm Bureau. While they knew the pandemic would cause difficulties later down the line, the freeze left farmers with the unexpected problem of deciding what would come next for their workers.

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Journalism grad student reports from frontlines in Iraq

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 18:54:08 +0000

Journalism grad student reports from frontlines in Iraq Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 01/12/2017 - 11:54

Mitch Utterback (center) with Col. Arkan and Brig. Gen. Haider of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service.

Before he was a master’s student in the journalism department at CU ��«��Ƶ, Mitch Utterback served as a member of the U.S. Special Forces, including a tour of duty in Iraq . Now he’s back on the frontlines, embedded with Iraqi Special Forces as they try to retake the city of Mosul. But this time, Utterback is armed with a camera. It’s all part of the capstone project for his journalism degree.

While most journalism students in CU’s College of Media, Communication and Information pick decidedly less dangerous topics for their final projects, Utterback hopes to work as a war correspondent after graduation. Coordinating with friends and former colleagues in the Iraqi military, he arranged a month-long reporting trip to Mosul.

“I've returned to Iraq to start establishing my credentials as a war correspondent,” he said in an email. “I'm experiencing the daily life of Iraq's most elite units. I've learned how tough the campaign is and how much care for the civilian population the Iraqi government and its security forces are demonstrating. I've also seen first-hand some of the war crimes committed by ISIS.”

From the field, Utterback is filing regular updates on his blog. His reporting has also been featured on a local Colorado TV station, FOX 31 Denver.

Mitch Utterback served a tour of duty in Iraq as a member of the U.S. Special Forces. In early 2017, he returned as a journalist.

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Dairy Show Pictures

Anonymous — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 00:41:03 +0000

Dairy Show Pictures Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 12/05/2014 - 17:41

Advertising students took over the Armory building to prepare for the Dairy Show, which shows off students' semester-long mock campaign projects. Entries were judged by top professionals.

View a gallery of our favorite photos »

Advertising students took over the Armory building to prepare for the Dairy Show, which shows off students' semester-long mock campaign projects. View a gallery of our favorite photos from preparation and the awards ceremony.

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