Student/Parent Testimonials

Dear Rising Ninth Graders,

         I would strongly recommend the Center for Communications at Varina High School to any student looking for an exciting learning experience and many opportunities for their future. Throughout my four years in Varina’s specialty center, I studied a wide variety of communication topics, including newspaper writing and design, graphic design, magazine writing and design, video production and editing, photography, and television. Additionally, the specialty center produces a local television broadcast, called “Roll Tape,” where the students get to help write scripts, produce episodes, and use behind-the-scenes studio equipment. Students who are eager to learn, dedicated to their studies, and open to new experiences are strongly urged to apply for this specialty center.

         Personally, my favorite project that I worked on during my involvement in the program was the SOL commercials. The students formed groups and pitched their ideas to the principal, hoping to produce an appealing yet informative commercial for their peers. Not only were the projects a huge success, but we were also recognized on the front page of the metro section of the “Richmond Times Dispatch” for our hard work and success. Even students at other schools viewed these commercials via the Internet. The commercials reminded Varina’s students of the importance of the SOL tests and suggested the best preparation methods for high test scores.

         While the Center for Communications is very beneficial and fun, it also involves a lot of work and requires a student’s dedication and commitment. Putting forth a minimum effort will not allow a student to stay in the center because they will receive poor grades on assignments. I often wondered if the hard work put into my projects would ever pay off. However, during my freshman year of college I immediately recognized how much the center not only taught me about Communications, but also prepared me for my college career.

         The program has helped me in college in many ways. Not only has it helped me become a more active and involved student, but it also has helped me significantly with my public speaking skills. Many projects involved presentations in front of one’s classmates and peers, and I developed a sense of familiarity with presenting and speaking in front of others. Additionally, the program has helped me greatly with team work. Many projects completed in the center are done in groups, rather than individually. As the introvert, I preferred to work alone. But the center helped me learn to listen to my team’s ideas, consider their suggestions, and to distribute the work load evenly.

         Prior to my involvement in the Center for Communications, I had little to no knowledge as to what “the study of Communications” even was. I also had little to no desire to learn about communications. The center definitely answered the many questions that I had about what I was going to be learning for the next four years of high school. The wide range of subjects and topics in the center appeals to students because even if a student is not interested in one topic, they will soon be learning about a new topic that they may take interest in. Much to my surprise, I am now a Communication Studies major at Christopher Newport University and plan to have a career in the communications field. I can honestly say that applying and joining the Center for Communications was one of the best decisions I made in high school.

Best Wishes,

Allison Throckmorton

Varina High School ‘08

Christopher Newport University ‘12