![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
Why film classes are no longer offered
Wind Lothamer, Visual Arts Department chair, Media Arts Instructor, and former film teacher at WLHS.
The school year has started and students are beginning to get into the rhythm of their new classes and subjects. One class new students won’t be taking this year is film.
Film I and II focused on the analyzation and interpretation of movies, films and similar media. They focused on critical thinking and exploring the art and messages behind films. This year the classes are no longer offered.
“I think it was a couple different factors,” Wind Lothamer, visual arts department chair and former film teacher, said. “The main one being that we just don’t have a teacher or space to teach it.”
According to Lothamer, the film program lacked proper staff and a space designated for teaching it, previously using the photo classroom. With the photo program growing, other curriculum had to re-group to accommodate it, leading to the film classes being cut.
There is still some question as to whether it would be brought back to the school in later years, with some film one students being upset over its expulsion and being unable to complete the full course.
“Students have voiced their slight concerns and stuff about it and were kind of dismayed, but nothing like a movement or anything…” Lothamer said. “If there’s future interest, bring it to the administration’s attention, and we can re-evaluate it.”
Even though the class is no longer available, students can still express other artistic interests.
The school offers many different art-related classes and curriculums, and it is considered a high-priority subject.
“I think everybody needs to have a certain amount of time that they can spend on creative endeavors…” Lothamer said, “So being able to find those outlets and being able to find those particular skills, abilities and passions is very important.”
He also mentions the possibility of some students starting a film club, stating that the resources still existed, and if students were interested enough and had a teacher to support it, it is definitely a possibility in the future.
“We have all the stuff for it, and if students have an interest, it could definitely be a possibility in the future,” Lothamer said.
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Iris Brucker, sophomore, had always been an answer seeker at heart. Since a young age she was constantly asking questions about anything and everything,...
