Several media arts students recently sat down with local media professionals who have volunteered to mentor the students as part of a partnership between the Hope Faith & Dreams Foundation and SAC.
The Kaleidoscope of ARTS Mentorship Initiative, which helps introduce students who are studying media arts and journalism to the professional world, brought three students and their mentors together to film interviews at the KSAT-12 newsroom in San Antonio Nov. 14.
The Hope Faith & Dreams Foundation, founded in 2002, is “a community-supported arts and literary partnership as well as an award-winning organization in literary publishing for young writers and artists,” according to the organization’s website. Founder and broadcast personality Armando Camina said he created the nonprofit to prepare and inspire young minds toward academic and scholastic triumph.
“The purpose of this program is to bring students who are interested in a media career and pair them with professionals who have been successful with their media career,” Camina told the Sundial.
He said the program allows students to learn more about the industry and gives them insight into how a professional works.
“Communication makes the world go round. So our goal with this program is to put students and community professionals together so that they can learn how to navigate through communication,” he said.
Camina said students form bonds with their mentors, get exposed to professional media production operations, and learn to navigate complex professional situations. The mentors get to know and influence the next generation of media professionals and support and promote the media arts.
Radio, Television and Broadcasting sophomore Elias Navarro interviewed his mentor, KSAT News Director and Kaleidoscope of ARTS mentor Mario Orellana, who said he was very excited about the interview.
“I think it’s always great to look back at why we got into this business, and I think it’s something that everybody should stop and look back at regarding the work we have done,” Orellana told the Sundial.
Navarro said he had a great time interviewing Orellana.
“He’s taught me how to climb the ranks and do my time,” Navarro said. “I just want to hear his story and learn about his motivation … He’s a fantastic energy to be around.”
The Kaleidoscope of ARTS Mentorship Initiative will run through February. Mentees will write about their experiences in the program, and the information will be compiled into the magazine San Antonio Inspires, which will be released next year. It will feature work by everyone involved.
