By Romey J. Romagnoli '15
The Siena College campus was steeped in the tradition of Hollywood last week during the annual VISTA Video Showcase. A Siena rendition of the red carpet led people to the Key Auditorium to see the premier of six videos created by Americorps*VISTA Fellows. The short movies showed their volunteer experiences at one of 25 locations in the Capital District.
The Siena College AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows Program is one of the original programs established by the College’s office of Academic Community Engagement. Since 2008, dozens of AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows have successfully completed a year or more of service.
“My favorite part is working with community partners,” said VISTA Fellow Sasha Miller. “They are completely committed to the community.”
Miller, Rhonda Daniel and Lanee Williams won the People’s Choice award for their video, “True Life: I’m a VISTA,” which gave viewers an inside look at how a VISTA Fellow handles the challenges of everyday life while serving people in need. Awards for best message, best sound track and best picture were also presented during the Video Showcase.
VISTA Fellows Destiny Johnson, and Alex Pizzola won Best Picture for their movie “People of Albany,” which used a series of interviews to highlight people from the Washington Park and Downtown Albany neighborhoods.
Other videos focused on work being done at a variety of community organizations, including Albany Homeless and Travelers Aid Society, Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, The Boys & Girls Clubs and Camp to Belong, which reunites siblings that have been separated in the foster care system.
The videos brought back great memories for the VISTA staff and volunteers. There were laughs, sighs and a few tears shed. While there were no limos to take the award winners home, the true reward for the participants and the audience was seeing Siena College’s Franciscan values brought to life, both on the big screen and in the local community.
