7 Years...and Counting!

The year our computer clubhouse opened was 2003. That same year, the Flagship Computer Clubhouse in Boston turned 10. We have a few years to go to reach my personal goal to achieve a decade, but I am so excited that we have reached seven! Seven is my favorite number! It has been prevalent in my life since the day I was born -- July 31. I was born on a Sunday and I was my mother's seventh child. My mother named me CAROLYN (her name, MALINDA, both have seven letters). I was born in a city (Detroit), in a hospital (Women's), on a street (Waverly), and went to a school (Willard); all with seven characters! If you think that's a lot, you should check out my list of 7 in my life. What is really amazing to me is that most of these things I had no control over! So it only seemed appropriate to celebrate the 7th anniversary of our computer clubhouse.

This was a great party that not only gave us the opportunity to learn about the history of the computer clubhouse, but it allows us to recognize the significance of having the only remaining computer clubhouse in Detroit. When we opened in 2003, there were three additional computer clubhouses that opened on the same day. Sadly, for the youth of this city, they are gone.

Since the NWAC Computer Clubhouse was awarded an Intel Refresh Grant last year, we were able to upgrade our hardware and software, and we are now ready to educate youth on using the latest technology tools. I am looking forward to seeing how you will design, create, invent and explore! Let's make some outstanding projects!

This picture shows Deonte, Mikayla, Selena and Donovan. They are all doing great projects in the clubhouse. Keep up the good work and remember to upload your best work to the Computer Clubhouse Village.

Clubhouse Closing

The clubhouse will be closed while I chaperone clubhouse members on the tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We will be visiting Spelman College (for women); Morehouse College (for men); Clark-Atlanta University; Alabama State University and Tuskegee University.

Think about the projects you will work on when we return.

Importance of Using The Village

I decided that I am going to have to vent about the Village this week. Why, because there were only 8 projects uploaded last week -- and 4 of them were by Donovan! Who was only in the clubhouse on Wednesday, yet he managed to upload 4 projects. Thank you, Donovan! Now, what is going on with the rest of you? No, before I ask that question, let me exclude the 4 who also uploaded at least one project. Thank you, Tamara, Bryan, Kaprecia and Rhonda! Now, instead of asking the question, I'll simply state that doing projects and uploading your best projects to the Computer Clubhouse Village is required for you to continue coming to this clubhouse. If you do not have projects on the Village, then you are wasting the limited time, space and equipment of our clubhouse. This is unacceptable. We have new hardware and software. There are no excuses for any member not to be creating awesomely.
I know that many of you saw the awesome avatar character that Shanelle made of herself using Photoshop. The knowledge and skills for this creation came from a desire to learn and the determination to practice. For certain, Shanell is someone who can stay focused on what she wants to learn. She takes advantage of the free tutorials that provide guidance to master new skills. Her portfolio (that she hasn't uploaded to the Village) includes some great works using Photoshop. It excites me to see that she is expanding her knowledge into other programs like After Effects and Illustrator. Great job, Shanelle!


I see a lot of amazing work being done in the clubhouse. This past week Selena did a design with her email user name and worked with the pen tablet like a pro; Marcellous traced himself from a picture that included 3 or 4 other people and then he drew in a microphone that completely changed the scenario of the original picture; and Mikayla created a photo collage of her family. Unfortunately, I'm only one person, so things can slip past me. I don't always see your project while you are working on it. The Village is that place that you can be sure that I will see what you've done. Use it!

Assignments:

1. TP, V, B, P & PP
2. Preparing for 7th Anniversary and Lights on Afterschool party

October Plans

There are some important events planned for October.

This is the final week to upload a project that could be selected to be in the 2011 Computer Clubhouse calendar. If you have an original artwork project (Bryce, Photoshop, Paint, whatever) that you need help uploading, please let me know so I can help you. This opportunity ends on October 10, so let's get some great artwork submitted!

I want everyone working to build their portfolio of projects to display at our Open House/Lights On Afterschool/Birthday Party Celebrations on Thursday, October 21. This is a lot to cram into one evening, but it should be a lot of fun! Our computer clubhouse will turn seven this month, so we are going to have a birthday party to celebrate this milestone. As many of you know, there are clubhouses located throughout the United States and around the world, but this clubhouse is the only one in Michigan. There are a lot of people who don't even know that we exist. Our birthday celebration will include an open house event that you can invite family and friends to attend to see our creativity. Our birthdate coincides with the annual national event called Lights on Afterschool. An initiative of Afterschool Alliance to put the spotlight on the importance of afterschool programs. We have participated in LOA events in the past. This is the first year that we have combined the event with our birthday. I think that I have a great team of members. I'm looking forward to a great evening!

October is also the month that I will chaperone several members on a trip to visit some Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU tours). Make sure you note that the computer clubhouse will be closed the last week of this month.

Assignments

1. There are some assignments that you should automatically know are required: typing, my blog, the Village, and your portfolio are done each time you visit the clubhouse.
2. Portfolio cover for PowerPoint
3. Photoshop project and view Photoshop videos
4. Photography
5. Introduction to Adobe Flash