Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Thursday, January 14, 2010

Shauntae Coleman (seated) created a video for an EBCE class project after interning at a digital graphics company. EBCE coordinator Wenda Higgins says her students gain valuable career experience through this hands-on class. (Photo: Tammy L. Lane)

Shauntae Coleman, a senior at Bryan Station High School, is among the finalists in the “What Would You Do?” video contest sponsored by Bridges Transitions, a Xap Corp. company that provides online education and career resources. She won $100 for making the national cut.

The contest called for students to illustrate what they would do if life had a rewind button and they got a second chance and also to share lessons learned in hopes of helping others reach their goals.

To complete her entry, Shauntae tapped into skills she honed through the school district’s Experienced-Based Career Education program, in which students work in six-week rotations at different local businesses or community partners.

“I know I’m interested in the art field. I’m leaning more toward digital art,” said Shauntae, whose last stint was at a digital graphics company.

She used her new computer skills for a class project, which doubled as her submission in the video contest.

“I made the drawing part in Macromedia Flash and put it all together in Movie Maker,” she said.

Judges picked the finalists based on creativity, originality and relevance to the theme. (Four of the 11 finalists are from Kentucky.) The winners, as determined by online voting, will be announced Jan. 25. The top prizes are $2,500; $1,500; and $1,000.

Visit www.bridges.com/video/vote.html to see the finalists; Shauntae’s video is the sixth one posted. She wrapped it up with this advice: “Be you. Stay true. Be happy.”

“Don’t let anybody steer you away from what you want to do,” she said at school this week. “Surround yourself with people who support you and who want to do something with their lives as well.”

For more details about Experienced-Based Career Education opportunities, e-mail program manager Brian Miller or call (859) 381-4146.