Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County Member Awarded for Excellence in Photography
Boys & Girls Clubs of America named Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County-South Haven Unit Member Dakota Bickett the regional winner in its 11th Annual Digital Arts Festivals competition for his entry in the photography category. As a winner in the Midwest region, Bickett, age 12, was selected to move on to the national level of competition for the 10-12 age group.
The photography category, supported by Sony Electronics, asked Boys & Girls Club members to take a self-portrait and, using digital illustration software, create an illustration depicting themselves in their future career. Bickett’s photo, entitled “Artist”, showcased his creativity and tech skills learned at Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County-South Haven Unit.
The Digital Arts Festivals features categories include Photography, Music Making, Game Design, Graphic Design, Film and Animation. The Festivals allow BGCA, along with supporters Comcast and Sony Electronics, to give young people an avenue to get creative and design original pieces of digital artwork – from photos to songs to stop-motion animation and short films. The competition is one component of BGCA’s technology program, Club Tech, which teaches critical technology skills to Club members age 6-18. The Club Tech program at Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is sponsored locally by Best Buy Children’s Foundation, Power of Youth Council, ArcelorMittal and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
“Through the Digital Arts Festivals we’re able to inspire our future photographers, designers, game developers, filmmakers and musicians,” said Dan Rauzi, senior director of arts, technology and careers at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “It is amazing what our kids and teens can do when given access to technology and allowed to express themselves creatively.”
Each year, around 20,000 Club youth from across the globe compete in local festivals. The Festivals are just one way that Boys & Girls Clubs of America provide technology access to some 4 million youth served by some 4,000 Clubs nationwide and abroad. To learn more about the Digital Arts Festivals and to view past national winners visit our Digital Arts Festivals Gallery.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been opening doors to GREAT FUTURES for Porter County’s youth since 1971. The Clubs provide high quality programs for nearly 5,000 boys and girls in the areas of character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation.
For more information on membership, volunteer opportunities or to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit www.bgcpoco.org. Great Futures Start HERE.
Photo: “Artist”, created by Dakota Bickett, member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County-South Haven unit. Bickett recently won a Boys & Girls Clubs of America Midwest Regional award for this entry in photography.