Kilgore students receive recognition in Creative Spark contest

Seventh and eighth grade students in Lisa Ann Wilson’s digital studio class at Kilgore Gifted Center recently participated in the international Next Vista for Learning Creative Spark video contest. Twelve students submitted seven films to the contest in December 2024.

Contest entries 

Jackson Reese, Kara Lucas, Liam Patton – “How to Walk in a 3S Line”

Lily Mays, Isabelle Kline, Dominick Johnson, Lillian Washko – “How to Dance the Cotton-Eye Joe”

Zy’eir Green, William Brock, Albert Meeks – “How to Set Up Stop-Motion Animation”

Honorable Mention

Brielle Burnette – “How to Shade Your Artwork” 

Madelyn Taylor – “How to Make the Green Screen Effect” 

Finalist

Olivia Witcher – “How to Draw an Anime Face”

“Every year, students in my blended 7th and 8th grade Digital Studio (DS) class enter a film contest; this year, it is Next Vista's Creative Spark. This is an excellent opportunity to promote one of the major skills they learn in DS which is to consider their audience when making a film,” said Wilson. “Their challenge is to use the resources DS offers - iMovie, WeVideo, green screen in a separate ‘studio’ - to teach a skill in 90 seconds or less. We did lots of feedback sessions during the planning process, as well as once the films were completed. Students were able to hear proactive feedback from their classmates for a second or even a third draft of their film. This year's films display a wide range of relatable topics, innovative techniques in filming & editing, and a real connection with the audience. I'm delighted that two of our students received honorable mentions and another one is a finalist! We eagerly await the announcement of the contest winners in early April!”

Next Vista will name the winner of the contest in late March or early April 2025.