Kettering Fairmont class produces another winner

Last year’s winner was Brian Kinnison for his music video “From the Day.”

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“Our I.M. students work hard producing media and TV programming for the school district, and operate the campus radio station. We’ve been blessed with great facilities in our career tech center,” said Scott Leo, Fairmont’s interactive media instructor for the past eight years. “I tell our students all the time if you write a paper in English class or do a math worksheet, it ends up in the bottom of your locker. You do a lot of real-world projects for real audiences.”

Peckham’s real-world project, a three-minute video, has an empowering message that impressed the judges.

“The story that she tells in that film is the major strength of the video. It’s about individualism and finding your niche as a young adult,” said Leo, who is also the WKT-FM station manager.

The video follows a young woman as she walks in downtown Dayton and visits a coffee shop, record store and other sites in the Oregon Historic District. The role is played by Bijou Taylor. The voiceover message reminds us not to be afraid to take risks, be unique and define your own version of happiness and success. The film seamlessly transitions from Taylor to inspirational words on mugs, a sidewalk sign or a painted mural on a gray wall.

“The hardest part was coming up with a good idea. I’m a perfectionist and someone who doesn’t like to settle,” Peckham said.

The inspiration for her video came during a time when she was facing multiple stressors, with assignments due in other classes plus her video project due within a month.

“I talked to a few people, and some were competitive and said that winning was everything to them,” said Peckham. “But it’s more about your passion to create than what others have to say about it.”

The irony is that Peckham won the Emmy. She found out on June 17, when she was at college orientation. You can see her winning video online at https://youtu.be/U3KliUTli6w.

“I was just about to go to sleep in the dorm. I decided to check the site online and saw my name. I started crying,” said Peckham, who earned a $60,000 scholarship to attend the Columbus College of Art & Design.

Last year, Kinnison's music video featured "From the Day," a song by folk artist Donal Hinely. The video depicts a young boy smitten with a girl, and an older man pining for a woman. They visit a music therapist, played by Hinely, for advice on how to win them over. To see the clip, go online to https://youtu.be/rFJwBRk-k7o.

Honorable mentions announced this year went to Max Williams for his photography “Hocking Hills.” Also Williams, Megan Guyett, Syrrina Mullins and Tim Edmonds won for a “Stand Up for Public Schools” video. Leo and the I.M. students travel to Lawrenceburg, Ind., on Aug. 5 for the Ohio Valley Chapter’s annual Emmy Awards Gala.

“Across all the various media disciplines, the students of the Ohio Valley Chapter embody the standard of excellence that NATAS was founded to maintain,” said scholarship and college student awards chairman Harrison Hove. “Congratulations to those who have been honored this year. We’re proud to have the opportunity to encourage and mentor these dynamic students.”