On Wednesday, July 22nd, my school’s film team and I won 1st and 2nd place on two different categories in the 2015 Neighborhood Film Project at City Block Cinema.

Two film classes from the San Antonio School for Inquiry and Creativity worked on separate films showcasing different neighborhoods in the city. These opportunities help students like me contribute to the SA2020 vision to strengthen the arts in San Antonio, and make our whole city better.

This year we showcased My Neighborhood, in which we placed 1st, and the East Side, in which we placed second. The school’s film team has entered in the Neighborhood Film Project for 3 years to show what students can accomplish. As students, we are underestimated sometimes. But in these contests we get to show the quality work we can produce.

At the San Antonio School for Inquiry and Creativity, the students are allowed freedom of expression. The school offers many elective classes such as film, music, audio engineering, and many more. The teachers help students pass their classes so they can progress more in what they are passionate about, in my case it was always filmmaking. Our school focuses on grades like any other school but it also helps guide students to find their career path in life. The teachers and administration help you achieve the high goals you have set for yourself. It’s a different kind of environment.

In the past, we have won several different awards for our school. Here’s a list of some: 2012 – Audience awards; San Antonio 48HR film contest. 2013 – 1st place East Side; San Antonio Neighborhood Film Project. 2014 – 2nd place; San Antonio 48HR film contest. This year added two more awards. The profit of the contests we win goes to making more films or student field trips.

Every year, new students enroll in our school. Which, in turn, means the film department adds more members to our film team. Along with that, students graduate, leaving gaps in the team. Each year, more training begins to prepare the team for more filmmaking. The teachers enter us in as many contests as possible each year so we can try and earn more money. Every year, our goal is always set on trying to attend SXSW for a couple of days. With the teachers the school has, anything is possible.

I personally graduated this past year, and I couldn’t be happier looking back at the past four years of my high school life. San Antonio School for the Inquiry and Creativity helped me grow as a student, and as an adult. I learned what I’m passionate about. With great mentors such as Buddy Calvo, Allysun DeLeon, Perla Rivera, and all of my other teachers that helped out in my high school career, I made everything possible. San Antonio School for the Inquiry and Creativity is a school of opportunity and growth. It was definitely a life changing experience for myself personally. To the future students of SASIC; I hope it is just as life changing for you as it was for me.