Student Artists Contribute To Community Websites

     Students in the Clay City High School's Computer Graphics class are becoming actively involved in promoting the positive aspects of their community through a service learning project.  The students in the class are using their website design learning unit to help design and update websites that tell the world  the small town atmosphere, organizations, friendliness, and sustainable businesses found here in Clay City, Indiana.

     The students are assigned to four-person teams, and each team is given a client from the community.  The clients come to the school to initially explain the website they would like designed or updated, give the students an understanding of the target audience, the message that is to be communicated through the site, and an idea of the options and approaches desired by the client.

     The students then brainstorm the website's requirements and identify the goals of or problems with the site, come up with a design strategy, and create the necessary pages to show to the client.

     The client then meets again with the student team, views their ideas and designs, and through ongoing feedback a mutually agreeable design is chosen.  Each team will then create or renovate their assigned website, check to be sure the details and photos are appropriate and the message is communicated, and present the client with a CD containing the website design.  This is not the end of the process, as websites need continual updating, so this project will extend into the future as the students work closely with the clients to ensure a vital and, attractive and informational

 website which draws visitors to the community and enhances our economy.  

     The websites the class has been working on are the  Mayberry of the Midwest site, the Eel River Soy Co-op, and the Swiss Connection Farmstead Cheese Shop. Each site is a work in progress, but this project has provided valuable learning experience for the students and hopefully will be a continuing benefit to the community.

     For more information, contact Mrs. Taylor at Clay City High School, Clay City, Indiana at 812-939-2154.

Article submitted by "THE NEWS"

     Pictured above, front row, left to right, April Curl, Lacey Brown, Christina Haymaker, Sarah Boone, Reva McMichael, Kevi Baumgartner, and Melody Adams. Back row, left to right, Tim May, Nick Bryan, Senator John Waterman, Derek LaVoine, Richard Culler, Clay City Feed and Grain and Eel River Soy Co-op; Brandon Mattox, State Representative Brookes LaPlante, Robert Ingram, Peggy Taylor, CCHS Art Teacher; and Mr. Paul Sinders, CCHS Principal.
( Photo Submitted by THE NEWS )