Sony Institute
Eleven Dearborn students traveled to California to attend four days of intensive training in video and computers at the prestigious Sony Institute of Technology in San Jose. While in California, the students toured San Francisco and spent the afternoon in the Tech Museum in San Jose. After their last day of attending classes at the Sony Institute, which lasted from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., the students embarked on a four-day tour down the scenic California Highway 101. The students stopped at Big Sur for lunch, then spent the next morning at the Hearst Castle in San Simeon. From there they proceeded on to Hollywood and visited Universal Studios, as well as attending a performance at the Mann's Chinese Theater where many celebrities have made handprints. The students were selected for their commitment to video production and computer instruction at the video/computer class at Dearborn High School. Students in the video production come from Dearborn High School, Edsel Ford Ford School, and Fordson High School. The Dearborn Cable Communications Fund, chaired by Peggy Campbell, provided funding for the trip. In attendance were Mark Somers (senior DHS), Teresa Sevonty (senior DHS), Gabriel Mahoney (senior DHS), Michael Gapa (senior DHS) , Matt Fanto (junior DHS), Darrel Wheat ( junior EFHS), Justin Peterson (junior DHS), Brandon Brogan (junior DHS), Brandon Gheen (sophomore DHS) and Rob Eko (sophomore DHS). Sevonty was the first girl in the 20-year existence of the program to be selected to attend the advanced video setup and troubleshooting class. "It's about time, and I'm glad that in the future of WDHS girls won't miss this opportunity anymore," she said.
Columbia College
Each year, Columbia College holds a special summer program for high school students interested in videography, acting, film, radio, computer graphics, and animation. The classes run for five weeks and give the students the opportunity to experience classes on a college level, as well as earn college credit. Students spend about three hours in class per day. The students live in the residence halls of Columbia College, located in the heart of downtown Chicago.
AVID School
Every year a select group of advanced WDHS students, attend a 3 day workshop to learn nonlinear editing on Avid systems. After completing the course, they each receive a certificate of completion, signifying that they are expert Avid editors. This certificate is recognized worldwide by the Video and Film Industry.