Lights, camera… optimism!

The Highland High School Technology Club recently won the Optimist International 2016 Reel of Optimism Video Contest award in the “Put Your Optimism On Display” category.

“Our goal as the Tech Club is to use our talents to help as many people as we can. Sometimes that means helping teachers and staff with equipment issues and sometimes helping other students learn things that are not part of the high school curriculum,” said HHS teacher and Tech Club sponsor Chris Durbin.

The Tech Club explores the type of technologies that are relevant to the students in the club, specifically video production.

“When we heard there was an opportunity to give something back to the Highland Optimist Club, we knew that we had to get the word out about what a fantastic organization we have here in Highland,” Durbin said.

One of those special events is the Highland Optimist Club Basketball Shootout. The shootout — which was standing room only — was the culmination of work between the Tech Club and the Optimist club. Both worked together to live stream the event.

The tech club went above and beyond as well, including live audio from a radio station covering the event.

“There were over 1500 people watching the event at one time. It was just like watching a game on TV,” said Optimist Club Secretary and past president Kevin Hemann.

After seeing the club’s abilities, Hemann approached them and asked if they would like to enter a video in Optimist International’s contest called “Reel of Optimism.”

“There was a category for an outside club to do a video on our club,” Hemann said. “So I went to Chris to see if they would be interested in making a video. They said yes and submitted the video.”

The Tech Club used the footage from the shootout to create a three-minute video showcasing the importance of the Highland Optimist Club.

Josh Case, who is a past Tech Club president, was responsible for the technical setup.

“Winning the Reel Optimism Video contest allows the members to see that our efforts to benefit student groups and organizations are very much appreciated by those groups,” said Highland Optimist Club President Jay Korte. “It is a good feeling.”

The Tech Club donated the $1,000 prize money they received back to the Optimist Club for a very particular reason.

“We choose to donate it directly to the Highland Optimist Club. They have a better handle on the needs of the community than anyone else in the area,” Durbin said. “As much support as they have given to the high school clubs and sports teams through the years, it is a very good feeling to help them continue to do great things.”

This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 7:20 PM with the headline "Lights, camera… optimism!."