Texas Border Business –
San Juan – A partnership between the San Juan Economic Development Corporation and a group of talented high school students is producing big help for several small businesses.
The San Juan EDC partnered with the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Career and Technology Department (CTE) to create a Summer Media Camp, where high school students filmed, edited and produced TV commercials for local San Juan businesses.
Seven PSJA Southwest Early College High School students participated in the four-week pilot camp held at their school last month, Video Production Instructor Sarvelio Carreon said.
“It was a wonderful experience for the students because they got to do a lot of hands-on work and were exposed to working with a client,” Carreon said. “They shot on location — even went to the beach to shoot film — and also toured the Telemundo studios.”
San Juan EDC was one of the first clients, Director Humberto “Bobby” Rodriguez said. The EDC’s commercial highlighted the City of San Juan, featuring shots of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine and Liberty Park, which boasts the tallest flag pole in South Texas.
Student’s used state-of-the-art equipment to film manufacturing at Grande Produce, 109 W. Dicker Rd., retail at Laguna Lifestyle Fishing Apparel, 4810 N. Raul Longoria Ste. 7, and specialty store Unique Creations and Gifts, 711 Alameda St. Ste. C.
“We’re very excited to see the final project,” Unique Creations & Gifts owner Jessica Saucedo said. “This type of promotional expense is something small businesses like mine struggle with, and it’s just absolutely wonderful that we can get this type of help from our own community.”
Rodriguez, who also sits on the PSJA School board, said the partnership is proving to be beneficial to all participating parties.
“It’s a win-win-win situation we have here,” he said. “Students get real-world experience, small business owners get a much-needed service at a no cost to them and we get to help train a future workforce, while also helping retain and promote business in San Juan. It really doesn’t get any better than that.” TBB
 to create a Summer Media Camp, where high school students filmed, edited and produced TV commercials for local San Juan businesses.){kind=link}