Logo artwork for summer series at the|ROCK student center in Houston, PA. Project included standard and iPhone wallpaper.
Brochure - Senior Volleyball
Full-color brochure created for the Canon-McMillan Big Mac Volleyball, 2012 Senior Night
Created using Photoshop.
Front/Back Cover:
Inside:
Created using Photoshop.
Elon is Home
My final project for DMC collaborated scenic video of Elon, interviews from a few first-year students, and my first work in Motion.
Shot with a Sony HD video camera, edited using Photoshop, Final Cut X, and Motion 5
Shot with a Sony HD video camera, edited using Photoshop, Final Cut X, and Motion 5
Phoenix14News: Students discover items stolen from vehicles
Elon students respond to theft around campus
By Brian Mezerski
By Brian Mezerski
More than $5000 in property have been stolen from 11 Elon University students’ vehicles, according to Elon Town Police reports.
Thirteen reports of larceny have been filed since April 13, with 10 reports involving theft from a motor vehicle.
“I’ve been checking my locks all the time lately and I’m always re-checking my car door,” said senior Jena Eisenberg, who had items stolen. “I kind of had a nightmare about it.”
Elon Town Police say the theft happened to unlocked vehicles on West Trollinger Avenue, Brookview Drive and Woodale Drive. Students had items such as GPS units, iPods and other audio equipment stolen.
“These are financially motivated,” said Lt. Lyle Anibal of Elon Town Police. “Someone just went on a run. They went to different areas and tried to get as much or many of these little electronic devices as possible.”
Junior Bobby Renner had several items stolen from his car on Friday, April 13. Renner said the items stolen were valued at more than $250.
“There was a mess in the car,” Renner said, “and I looked in and noticed a couple of things were missing. They’re definitely going to make some money off of them if I don’t get them back.”
Students have not had their possessions returned or know who stole the items, since the incidents are still under investigation.
Eisenberg said she now makes sure she locks her car doors and says it’s a lesson learned.
“In the end, I actually think it was good,” Eisenberg said. “I needed a little reality check before I left college and now I’m definitely taking my stuff out.”
Police say there are several ways students can keep their property safe in the parking lot:
- Always close their windows and lock car doors.
- Be aware of their surroundings and call Elon Town Police immediately if they see a suspicious person.
- Keep serial numbers to all personal items. Police said that it is easier to track and find missing items if they know the serial numbers.
Wake - Stop Motion
My “Wake” stop motion video takes a clever look at what happens when everyone leaves the computer labs. What else did you think those computers and chairs do for so long?
Shot with a Nikon D90 and edited using iMovie, Final Cut Pro X, and Photoshop.
Shot with a Nikon D90 and edited using iMovie, Final Cut Pro X, and Photoshop.
Of course, this project was definitely not possible without the help of many amazing friends. We spent many hours together going insane moving computers and chairs – inch by inch. Thanks, all.
Surreal Photography
Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision. - Salvador Dali
Photos taken with a Nikon D90 photojournalism camera. Surreal pieces designed using Photoshop.
Campfire Biscuit - Biscuitville challenge
The Campfire Biscuit takes the great made-by-hand, fresh and delicious Biscuitville Biscuit and layers it with smooth, creamy Nutella; sweet, marshmallow fluff; and a fiery spark of cinnamon. It’s definitely like making a s’more without the hassle.
Take a look at our promotional video which includes a 30 second commercial, info-graphic presentation, and a rap music video, all promoting the Campfire Biscuit:
We gave out samples of the Campfire Biscuit to several Elon University students and shared what they had to say in a market research video.
We also created additional marketing materials including a brochure and a sample coupon.
It was so fun to work on the project and I am thankful to have the opportunity to enhance my skills. I got to grow my talents individually and as a team - already as a first-year college student.
Students prepare for January 2013 study abroad programs
Students prepare for
January 2013 study abroad programs
By Brian Mezerski
It’s never
too early for students to pack their suitcases for travel.
Elon
University students had the opportunity to learn more about the various study
abroad courses being offered for January 2013 at the Winter Term Study Abroad
fair, hosted by the Isabella Cannon International Centre, on Thursday.
Interested
students spoke with faculty leading the courses abroad, fellow students who
recently participated in 2012 programs, study abroad student ambassadors and
the ICIC staff.
“The opportunity
to speak with faculty, students and staff in person is invaluable,” said
Elizabeth Snell, assistant director for short-term study abroad programs.
Snell said
the International Centre hosted the fair because students can interact more at
a fair than through program promotional brochures and online descriptions.
“Not only
does it provide an opportunity to explore multiple courses at once,” Snell
said, “but it also allows the students to find out information quickly and efficiently
so that they can select the best course for them.”
The event
was also important because of its sole focus on Winter Term programs. Snell said many students – including athletes
and others with full-time jobs – have restrictive schedules, so Winter Term is
the only time they are able to study abroad.
Some
students participate in programs during Winter Term because studying abroad is
the ultimate example of experiential learning.
 |
Junior
Alex Lake, right, talks with a student
about his study abroad experience.
|
“It’s a
more nurturing atmosphere,” said Junior Alex Lake, a student who attended the
2011 Argentina program.
Lake said
he loved having the opportunity to immerse himself in a mix of cultures.
“There is a
huge difference,” Snell said, “between reading about a work of art or a
location in history and having the opportunity to see or visit it in
person. There is no other way to
replicate that experience.”
But
students are not experiencing cultures alone while abroad. They study a topic in depth with an Elon
faculty member in locations relevant to the Winter Term topic and course.
Lake said
it was great to have Elon resources and to work with Elon professors during his
experience.
“There is a
connection you make with the professors you get to know well while spending
trips with them,” Lake said. “You come
back to Elon and the relationship becomes a professional relationship that
develops into help with school and your career.”
Lake encouraged
other students to pack their suitcases for at least one study abroad
experience.
Feature story: A young woman's unseen challenge
A young
woman’s unseen challenge
The only light in the hall beamed
from the study room where one girl sat moving her eyes from biology notes to
computer screen and back. Even though
all the other students on the floor were in their rooms and peacefully sleeping,
she continued into the early morning studying and reading for the test.
College
student is defined by dedication, friendships – not by blindness
By
Brian Mezerski
The only light in the hall beamed
from the study room where one girl sat moving her eyes from biology notes to
computer screen and back. Even though
all the other students on the floor were in their rooms and peacefully sleeping,
she continued into the early morning studying and reading for the test.
Angela Tatano Shuback is the girl everyone
sees spending several hours in the study room each night. Those people quickly passing by the room say
she is truly a remarkable young lady who epitomizes the dogged, successful
student.
But no one passing by the study room
would ever notice one unique quality about Angela unless she told them. She’s legally blind.
Angela, or “Ange,” has been
considered legally blind for all 19 years of her life.
“The day after I was born, the
doctors told my mom I needed glasses,” Shuback said.
Although they knew there would be
some difficulties for her, Angela’s parents, Jim and Celeste Shuback, knew
their child was a blessing.
“Considering her being seven weeks
premature and spending her first three weeks of her life in neonatal intensive
care,” said Celeste Shuback, Angela’s mom, “the vision was a minor issue given
the many other potential problems of a premature child.”
Angela’s father, Jim Shuback, knew
his 3-pound-12-ounce baby had a complete life-journey ahead of her.
“I’ll never forget how her world
opened up at six months old, when we put her first pair of glasses on,” Jim
Shuback said. “She began to see things
that she never saw before and just smiled.”
A person who is legally blind has
central visual acuities of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the best
possible correction, according to the American Foundation for the Blind.
Although Angela’s vision classifies
her as legally blind, “she has never used it as an excuse or crutch,” Jim
Shuback said. “I think her determination
comes from inside just wanting to be the best person she can be.”
Angela said she never viewed her
blindness as a problem, even from an early age.
“As far as I was concerned,” Angela
said, “this could be a normal thing.”
Angela does not focus on any
negativity that comes because of her vision.
Instead, she strives for her best in anything.
But
helping herself is not Angela’s first priority.
Angela has always been caring and kind.
She always thinks about the feelings of others, according to her mother.
Celeste
Shuback knows through her own personal experience the depth of Angela’s love
for her family.
“She
took on a role as care giver and mother for a short time three years ago when I
had surgery for cancer,” Celeste Shuback said.
“She was very compassionate but stayed strong and helped do many of the
daily chores that I was unable to do for a few months.”
Angela
said her family and relationships are a high priority in her life. In her years growing up in Charlotte, North
Carolina, Angela extended her compassion to her friends because of the love
they showed her. And she cherishes her
bonds of friendship.
During
her junior year of high school, Angela attended a Kairos retreat, a Christian
retreat program that provided students the chance to contemplate God’s role in
their lives. There, she felt a growing
connection with fellow people and friends.
“It
was the best experience of my whole life,” Angela said. “In your small group, you can say anything
you want because you feel really safe around them.”
Angela
said everyone could gather their life experiences and collectively tell people
about them.
During
the retreat, students received individual mailboxes to which other students send
notes to anyone.
“I
got a lot of cool notes from people I didn’t even know ever wanted to talk to
me or thought I was a cool person,” Angela said. “It just makes you feel good.”
Angela
said she truly valued the words people wrote to her. She said the moment she received a letter was
something special to her.
“You
just take your box,” Angela said, “go by yourself and read all your letters and
cry.”
Angela
said these times will always be in her memory, but her positive characteristics
have not changed over time. Angela’s
pattern of compassion continues today, especially with her college roommate.
“She
keeps up with friends like no one else I know,” said Dannie Cooper, Angela’s
roommate at Elon University. “If you
mention something in passing, she’d be the one to remember it and ask you about
it later. She’s a friend that will never
leave you.”
Angela
and her roommate met their senior year of high school on Facebook, where other
accepted students were completing roommate surveys to find the perfect
match.
“I’m
pretty good at making friends because I really like talking to people,” Angela
said, “but I was afraid since I never shared a room or lived with anyone that
Dannie wouldn’t like me or anything.”
But
Angela could not stray from her model of being a loving friend. Angela talked with her roommate throughout the
summer until they finally moved in together when they started college.
“I
am literally living with my best friend,” Cooper said. “As her friend, and even
as her roommate, I'm dedicated to being there for her. We hang out, encourage each other to get
through the week and support each other on the bad days.”
Angela
tries to spread the type of friendship that she has with her roommate to
everyone because she understands people for who they are.
“I
care about them,” Angela said. “I want
to know about their lives and stay in touch with them. I value their friendships.”
Angela
showed her compassion on a service trip during her first college spring break. Angela participated in a vendor-for-a-day
program and shadowed a homeless person who had to sell newspapers for income.
Through
the program, Angela developed a greater compassion for humans.
“You
realize how many people ignore the homeless on a daily basis or don’t even give
them eye contact,” Angela said.
Angela
was astonished after coming to the realization that the homeless have to go
through those struggles every day.
“It
was kind of mind blowing how I never really thought about how big of an impact
even saying, ‘Hello,’ can have on them,” Angela said.
Angela’s
experience during her spring break paralleled some events in her own life. Passing on the friendly gesture is a
challenge Angela sometimes faces. But
it’s not on purpose.
“Sometimes
people will say, ‘Hi,’ to me and I don’t see them until they’re right up close
to me,” Angela said. “I wish I could
acknowledge people if they say ‘Hi,’ to me, but I don’t realize it right away.”
Situations
are sometimes awkward for Angela when others do not understand her
condition. Angela said it is a slight challenge
for her to tell people about her blindness because she is still self-conscious
about it.
“I
was never really self-conscious about it until people started having their own
opinions and they started making comments,” Angela said.
Angela
said she has interacted with some rude children and adults who have made fun of
her thick glasses or her inability to see things without looking very closely
at them.
“I
don’t feel like I can be myself if they don’t understand,” Angela said,
“because they’ll just judge me. Not
everyone’s nice about it.”
But
as she grew more mature, Angela made the decision not to let the negative
comments of others get her down. Angela
learned to advocate for herself.
When
she returned her senior year of high school to the Kairos retreat, this time as
a student leader, Angela felt comfortable talking about the challenges she
faced. She gave a speech to other
students on the retreat about her vision and about God creating people for who
they are.
“I
felt like I had to get it out,” Angela said. “It was very helpful.”
Angela
said the speech was one of her best experiences.
“Everyone
else understood me,” Angela said. “It
was really cool because I could share my insights with people and be out of my
comfort zone a little bit.”
Angela
is getting more comfortable with telling people about her vision and does not
consider her blindness a weakness. But she
does face some challenges every day.
“She
had to rely on her listening skills and finding security in a few good friends
that she made,” Celeste Shuback said, “to help her with things that would seem
simple to most children.”
Angela
said her largest challenge is where she is most dedicated. Academics.
“School
is probably the most frustrating,” Angela said.
“I can’t always see the board in class, and I have to follow up with my
teachers a lot.”
Angela
said she thinks she might read slower because she is seeing less words at a
time than others and has to look closer at her books or computer screen.
But
Jim Shuback said Angela has never backed away from an academic challenge.
“She
took AP classes in high school and when it came time to go to college, she sure
didn’t pick the easiest one,” said Jim Shuback, referring to Elon University.
And
the choices she makes – being loving to her friends and family and dedicated
through challenges – defines who Angela is as a person.
“She’s
a smart person and can figure things out,” Jim Shuback said. “She usually does.”
Whether
in academics or throughout life, Angela is always showing her enthusiasm.
“I
think I’m more motivated than most people because I have to try harder,” Angela
said.
Angela
Shuback’s dedication pushes her to success, although sometimes she must reach
success by working into the early hours of the morning in the lighted study
room.
Broadcast writing example - School Uniforms
Dress code changes in Kennedy High School
BRIAN MEZERSKI
PRISCILLA EISEN, KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL PTA PRESIDENT
BRIAN MEZERSKI
BRIAN MEZERSKI
Reporter: Brian Mezerski
Broadcast News Script
JUMPERS OR SKIRTS AND BLOUSES FOR GIRLS. TROUSERS … SHIRT… AND TIES FOR BOYS. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL WILL JOIN A SMALL BUT GROWING NUMBER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE HANGING UP FASHION TRENDS … FOR UNIFORMS.
WE’LL BE TRADING DESIGNER JEANS AND STYLISH SHIRTS AND 200-DOLLAR SNEAKERS FOR BLUE-AND-WHITE UNIFORMS.
THE DECISION COMES AFTER THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DECIDED YESTERDAY THAT HIGH SCHOOL P-T-A’S COULD CHOOSE TO REQUIRE UNIFORMS. SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY THE SWITCH TO STANDARD CLOTHING MAKES ALL STUDENTS EQUAL.
GERRIE HUBBARD, SUPERINTENDENT
WE’RE NOT INTERESTED IN THE BEST-DRESSED CHILD HERE. WE’RE INTERESTED IN EMPHASIZING ACHIEVEMENT AND RAISING SELF-ESTEEM. WE WANT TO STOP CONCENTRATION ON CLOTHES AND START CONCENTRATION ON BASIC SKILLS.
UNIFORMS WILL COST ABOUT 30-DOLLARS EACH AND THE SCHOOL WILL HELP STUDENTS WHO CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY THREE OF THEM.
Students’ concentration in classroom crashes from computers
Students’
concentration in classroom crashes from computers
“Many high
school students would go to websites that they are not supposed to visit if
they had a laptop that they used daily,” Buffington said.
People find technology
useful, but teachers say laptops are problem in class
By Brian Mezerski
Immediacy. Efficiency.
Ownership. Three words teachers
used to describe how having laptops in the classroom has affected their
students.
And
although it’s true technology provides students with great opportunities, some
teachers use only one word to classify laptops.
Distraction.
“We
teachers fight this battle with students almost every time we use laptops in
the classroom,” said Julia Buffington, a math teacher at Graham High School.
Buffington
said, in addition to normal classroom activity, students face another challenge
to stay focused when laptops are added to the mix.
“Many high
school students would go to websites that they are not supposed to visit if
they had a laptop that they used daily,” Buffington said.
All
personal electronics, such as cell phones and MP3 players, are prohibited in
Graham High School classrooms. Teachers
discourage the use of personal technology in high school so teachers can
maintain a balance of educational opportunities for students, Buffington said.
“I think
that we are trying to make sure active learning is taking place in the
classrooms,” she said.
Active
learning does not mean removing technology completely from schools. All classrooms in Graham High School are
equipped with interactive white boards along with a camera and laptop for
teacher sue. There are laptop computer
carts teachers use for activities and specific online learning.
And,
Buffington said, students are not hindered from using technology on their own
time at school.
“We also
have several computer labs on campus,” Buffington said. “Students can go to the computer labs to use
the computers before school, during lunch and after school or with their
class.”
Sometimes,
though, technology is positively integrated into classroom opportunities.
Jon Burr,
who teaches composition, studies at Elon University, said how and where
students write is important. Burr allows
students to bring their own laptops to class because of the nature of the
courses he teaches.
“When
students have their laptops,” Burr said, “we can quickly access their current
project at any stage of this process and, essentially, move the process
forward.”
Because
they could have their personal laptops in Burr’s classes, students could
conduct fruitful in-class writing and research relevant to their projects. Burr said the immediacy with which a project
could be accessed and the intimate nature of working on one’s own machine
result in more positive experiences for students.
“There is a
sense of ownership and control that is present when an individual has his or
her own laptop instead of a classroom computer,” Burr said.
Even though
Burr said he hopes students bring their laptops to class to have their writing
at their fingertips and to more efficiently make progress, he’s not naïve about
how students may be using them.
“At the
same time, realistically,” Burr said, “I do suspect that laptops are brought to
class to serve as a distraction. Given
how attached most students are to social media networks, I imagine it is
difficult to completely disconnect.”
Katherine
Larson, a first-year student at Elon University, doesn’t bring her computer to
class for that exact reason. She knows
she’ll distract herself.
“I do not
normally use my laptop during class to take notes,” Larson said, “because I
find myself being distracted by Facebook or other things rather than
concentrating on the class. I find
computers to be a distraction with access to everything.”
Larson said
there were many times she brought her laptop to class in case she had to email
a document to a printer or access anything online. But Larson still found using a laptop for
coursework was not successful.
“I find it
more effective to hand write my notes,” Larson said, “because it forces me to
hand write them and then read over them before I type them out.”
Although
this study technique worked best for her, Larson said students should not be
prevented from having access to technology.
“Because
students learn differently,” Larson said, “it is fine for some students to have
their laptops in class.”
Larson said
allowing laptops in the classroom might help promote self-discipline for the
students with a computer who can focus only on the class.
Larson
concluded, “Props to them.”
Logos – round 2 for a purpose
Here are two more logo concepts I designed. Both are ideas submitted for contests; one is a new logo for the Elon School of Communications, the other is for the Winter Term 2013 Theme “Live Beyond.”
Created using Photoshop CS5 & Adobe Illustrator
Mashup - Technology
Mashup video created to explain changes in technology. Each member of my Digital Media Convergence class had to submit a quick 20-second video sharing thoughts on the advances in technology. Then, we each had to create a 60-90 second mashup of our classmates’ entries.
Edited using Final Cut Pro X
Promotional Video - Elonthon 2012
Promotional video for Elonthon 2012, a student organized philanthropy committed to raising money and awareness for the kids of Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center through an unforgettable twenty four hour event of fun, entertainment and dancing.
Learn more about Elonthon at: http://org.elon.edu/elonthon/
Shot using a Sony HD video camera and edited using Final Cut Pro X
Time-lapse project
Time-manipulation project. I created a fictional story in a sports-piece style. Shot with a Sony HXR-NX70U Camera.
Light Writing
What is light writing? Well, take a look at how images and drawings are created with flashlights and other light sources:
Shot with a Nikon D90
Night Photography
Night photography: arguably the most challenging form of photography. Take a look at some of my photos as I begin to learn the proper techniques of long exposure. Shot with a Nikon D90.
