There is a new program at Warren Central called 100 Cameras for 100 Kids, which is run by a teacher named Dennis Jarrett. He has an extensive background in photojournalism with an 11-year career at WRTV that included working as a videotape editor, photojournalist and newsroom assignment editor.
Jarrett knows the importance of photojournalism in the world today, and he wants to help the next generation understand that importance as well.
“Photojournalists really serve as our eyes to which we see the world around us, rather it be on the local, national or global level,” Jarrett said. “The photojournalist has a tremendous capacity to impact what we think, how we feel and how we relate to people and situations. With the proliferation of images being distributed online and through social media, it is even more important today that we develop socially conscious photojournalists.”
This is the reason that the program is important because it gives students who usually would not have access to training and camera equipment, to gain a chance to work with professional photographers who would help develop their creative skills.
It is provided at no cost, and when the students are done with their six weeks of the program they get to keep their camera equipment for their future career plans. The overall goal of this program is to train 300 photographers in three years, starting with Warren Central students.
Two such students were junior Jaylyn Balch and sophomore Jordan Warbinton.
“I’m interested in photojournalism because it's another artform that I could gain experience with,” Balch said. “Also, I enjoy taking pictures of nature.”
It takes a whole lot of passion and desire to pursue a career in photojournalism, but Warbinton has that passion.
“I have always been interested in photography since I was little, so when I heard that I could join a program that could help me progress in pursuing that career, I jumped at the opportunity,” she said.