Wisconsin Technical College System: Futuremaker grand prize winners announced

Contact: Kyle Schwarm, 608-266-0050, kyle.schwarm@wtcsystem.edu

Three student finalists awarded cash prizes for their creative videos

RACINE – Three Wisconsin Technical College students were recognized in Racine on Friday for their creative video entries in the 2010 Futuremaker Video Competition. The video competition asked students to create short videos on how they are making their futures. The videos share student experiences at the technical colleges, their accomplishments and their future plans.

“Being a finalist in the competition opened new opportunities in my life and positively affected my reputation at school and in the community,” said Franklin Romero, the first place winner from Western Technical College. Romero plans to use the prize money to bring his son from the Dominican Republic to the United States.

Romero received the top prize of $2,500. Adam Bucholz of Milwaukee Area Technical College received the second prize of $1,000, while Gideon Stein of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College received the third place of $500. Each production is creative, inspirational and depicts the attitude and mindset of a Futuremaker.

Bucholz said he was inspired by his father, his love for computer programming as well as his interest in the mind/body connection, all of which led him to enter the video competition. “It was this inspiration that encouraged me to march forth and finish the video,” Bucholz said. Being a finalist in the Futuremaker Video Competition has inspired Gideon Stein to keep making films and submitting them to film festivals. “If I’m lucky maybe someone will notice one of my films and it will lead to something more,” said Stein.

Each college promoted one semi-finalist to compete for first, second and third place. Entries were judged statewide on creativity, originality of presentation, effectiveness of communication and weighted voting from viewers. The winners were announced at a Wisconsin Technical Colleges’ District Boards Association luncheon meeting at the Racine Marriott. The three winning video entries can be viewed at http://www.wearefuturemakers.com/videocompetition under Video Gallery.

The Wisconsin Technical College System has 16 technical college districts throughout Wisconsin, which offer more than 300 programs awarding two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas. In addition, the System is the major provider of customized training and technical assistance to Wisconsin’s business and industry community. More than half of all adults in Wisconsin have accessed the technical colleges for education and training in the last decade.