Kevin Geraci and Jason Danso starting the video interview process for Student of the Week (Katie Wells)
Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes of our Student of the Week Campaign. Stars and Stripes Europe has made it our goal to highlight a special upperclassman student from on-base DODEA high schools in Europe, and to bring attention to military students in their community schools.
Selection is determined by school administration. Schools may highlight a student who has worked exceptionally hard at their schoolwork or special interests like art, music, math and sports, a student who volunteers with community organizations, or a student who displays character in a non-traditional way that deserves recognition. These students go above and beyond to positively influence the world around them. Our most recent Student of the Week is Junior, Jason Danso, representing Baumholder Middle High School.
Mary Ennis filming Kevin Geraci’s interview with Jason Danso (Katie Wells)
Maryn Ennis capturing behind the scenes footage of Student of the Week (Katie Wells)
Maryn Ennis videoing the making of Student of the Week (Katie Wells)
Another outstanding high schooler and one of our student interns, Maryn Ennis filmed our digital designer, Kevin Geraci through the process of interviewing and filming Jason. It’s pretty short and sweet, but taking the time to pull the student out of class and really focus on all they’ve accomplished makes them feel special, which they deserve.
Kevin starts off by having the student introduce themselves to the camera, then sets up some easy to answer questions like “where are you from?” and “what’s your favorite subject?” He then moves into a more conversational style interview process asking in-depth questions about what motivates students and who and what their inspiration is.
Filming the Introduction (Katie Wells)
After the interview, the student steps in front of a greenscreen where they walk towards the camera and step into a pose which may have something to do with the students’ achievements like a wrestling move or it can simply be a friendly smile and wave: think the GlamBot capturing celebrities at the Golden Globes or Emmys.
It was a lot of fun to see what Jason came up with. He settled on a more casual approach paired with an award-winning smile. After this, the student receives a Stars and Stripes “swag bag.” Sometimes military kids’ achievements are underrecognized from having to move around so much; yet, their resilience motivates them to do extraordinary things. Creating these student-centered videos and stories might motivate and inspire other kids as well!
Check out previous winners of Student of the Week and be on the lookout for a full story and video with Jason Danso.
