COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS : Youngsters Finish Video Project

On a campus straining to accommodate crowded classes, there was a small class of students at least for one day. More precisely, it was a class of small students.

Several third- through sixth-graders from Mint Canyon Elementary School converged on College of the Canyons’ video production studio recently to learn about the equipment. The young journalists also put the finishing touches on an ambitious yearlong video project in which they documented school events and produced video newscasts.

Joe Lanthier, the college’s audio-visual production engineer, was host to the children, participants in Mint Canyon’s Gifted and Talented Education program.

“The whole idea is to work with the kids and give them direction,” he said. “Even if they don’t get into this later in life, it gives them a real sense of accomplishment now.

“Without much coaching, they fall right into it. Give them a microphone and they go right up to their friends and start interviewing. They really amaze you--they take right over.”

The students have been using a camera, tripod and lights on loan from the college after initial instruction from Lanthier on their operation.

Lanthier’s wife, Lori, conceived the project, interested her husband in the idea and then secured the support of administration officials at the college and Mint Canyon school.

“Our son is in GATE,” she said. “As a parent, I wanted to be involved. I thought it would be a unique idea which would benefit the whole school.

“They’ve taken this whole project and come up with lots of ideas on their own. Who knows? Maybe some will grow up and succeed in the business.”

The opportunity has also generated enthusiasm among members of the student news crew.

“I like being an anchor,” said Tiffany Gorrell, with the seriousness that most 11-year-olds reserve only for the most important decisions.

But Nichole Furuya, 11, is still unsure about the direction her media career will take. “I’m just learning,” she said. “I like to try all the different things.”