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YOUTH
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Film grad wants to be part of a Hollywood revolution
BY ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Shannon Sons dreams of working as writer, producer and showrunner in the entertainment industry, but she wants to do it with purpose.
“Peter Murrieta is a professor at the film school that not only has taught me extremely valuable lessons about screenwriting and filmmaking but also about how to pursue your career and life with a purpose,” said the Peoria resident, who graduated in December with a BA in film and media production, with a concentration in producing, from the Sidney Poitier New American Film School.
From short stories and poetry to screenplays, Sons said she has been writing and sharing stories her whole life.
She said during her time at ASU, Murrieta helped her realize that “whose stories we tell and create is important.”
“He is a champion for the Latinx
Shannon Sons of Peoria graduated in December with a BA in film and media production, with a concentration in producing from The Sidney Poitier New American Film School. (Photo courtesy of ASU)
community and continues to write and produce stories that show the daily joy and love of being Latinx,” she said.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
Answer: My “aha” moment for when I knew I wanted to study film and media production was during my final year of high school. I spent my junior year pestering the principal to greenlight my production of a schoolwide lip dub — better known as a music video with a mashup of popular songs. On the first day of my senior year I was pulled into his office, where he told me he wanted to make the lip dub a reality. I spent three months working on pre-production by myself. I created the mashup of songs, detailed the route around campus (where) we would record, made instructional videos for both students and staff to know how to prepare themselves for the day, and much more. When the day of production finally came around, I remember feeling like everything I had done leading up to that moment was rewarded. It was the first time I was able to see a production I put together leave a lasting positive impact on all those who were a part of it. I will never forget the feeling I received when this large-scale project I had been working on for weeks finally came together. It felt like magic, and I knew I had to pursue producing in college.
Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Answer: The biggest takeaway I have from my time at ASU is the importance of a team. During my freshman year of college, I thought filmmaking was something that could be executed to a high standard by yourself. Yet, my courses at ASU challenged that philosophy and proved me wrong. Throughout the past year and a half, I have been
SEE SHANNON PAGE 26
BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF
Greenville University in Illinois named Joseph Christian of Peoria the recipient of the Panther Preferred Scholarship. This $19,500 scholarship is offered for fall 2022 and is renewable annually.
Panther Preferred is a college scholarship without a GPA or test requirement, awarded to students who strive to succeed regardless of circumstances.
Christian demonstrates the qualities of character and service the University and scholarship sponsors look for when choosing a Panther Preferred Scholarship recipient, according to a statement from the university.
Panther Scholars: • Demonstrate passion and perseverance toward accomplishing a longterm goal. • Are diligent and show academic determination. • Value others and seek to serve those around them, always going the extra
mile. • Aim to change the world and believe that even small things can make a huge difference.
Freshmen, transfer and degree completion students are all eligible for this scholarship.
Christian will be a part of a group of scholars who will be trained for future leadership on campus, host events for other groups, and promote character and service initiatives throughout the campus community.
Greenville University has a unique approach to student scholarships, investing in students who receive leadership scholarships, like the Panther Preferred Scholarship, preparing them for leadership on campus and for lives of character and service beyond their years in college.
All of Greenville University’s students receive some form of financial aid. To qualify for this and other scholarships at Greenville University, apply at greenville.edu/apply. PT
Cox wants to help students in Arizona pay for college
BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF
As area high school seniors start their last term and are making plans for college, Cox will award 10 Arizona seniors with a $3,500 Cox Diversity Scholarship.
Cox has a long track record of supporting youth and education programs in the communities that it serves.
The competitive scholarships require applicants to be on track for graduation with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average, provide demonstrated leadership and community service, as well as submit an essay focused on a significant leader from their respective diverse community.
To apply for a Cox Diversity Scholarship, visit azfoundation.org/ scholarships. Apply using the “general application,” found at the large button in the middle of the site that says begin your application.
The deadline to apply is March 1.
“At Cox, inclusion, diversity and equity are part of our core values. Over the past nine years, we are thrilled to have awarded more than $300,000 to students in our Southwest region, including Arizona,” said Susan Anable, vice president of government and public affairs, Cox Southwest Region.
In 2021 Chloe Hiller, an Arcadia High School graduate, received a Cox Diversity Scholarship to help her pursue her dream to become a news producer.
“Being awarded this scholarship not only reduces my financial burden, but it further motivates me to stay committed to working hard as I pursue a degree in journalism at the University of Arizona,” Hiller said. PT
Chloe Hiller, 2021 Cox Diversity Scholar. (Photo courtesy of Chloe Hiller)
Julianna Diveney named to dean’s list at UW-Superior
BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF
The University of Wisconsin-Superior in Superior, Wisconsin, named Julianna Diveney of Peoria to the dean’s list for academic achievement during the fall 2021 semester.
To be named to the dean’s list, students must have completed 12 degree-seeking semester credits and achieved at least a 3.50 grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale).
Founded in 1893 as a teacher’s college, UW-Superior now has more than 60 program offerings, select graduate programs, competitive Division III athletics programs, and research and scholarship programs that support the community and region.
The University of Wisconsin-Superior is a public liberal arts institution of more than 2,600 students in the Superior-Duluth, Minnesota, metropolitan area on Lake Superior. UW-Superior has more than 50 program offerings, select online and graduate programs, competitive Division III athletics programs, continuing education, research and scholarship programs that support the community and region. PT
SHANNON FROM PAGE 24 working closely with a small team of student filmmakers to create our senior capstone films. This experience has completely changed my perspective on filmmaking and allowed me to realize that when you have a team of talented individuals who know their specific role and can execute their role at a proficient level, that is when the magic happens.
Question: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
Answer: For the individuals still in school, my biggest piece of advice is to let your college experience run at its own pace and let go of comparison. Do not let yourself get swallowed by the suffering of competing against your peers. Of course, you are in college courses to learn about your choice of study, but also take time to learn about yourself and what you genuinely enjoy in life without the influence of others. College is a strange time of growth and realization, so please know that it is more than okay to switch majors halfway through and it is perfectly normal to not know what you want to do after graduation. Take college day by day without thinking too much into the future, and use the time that you do have to grow closer to yourself before heading out into the “real world.”
Question: What are your plans after graduation?
Answer: I hope to move to Los Angeles sometime in 2022 when a job opportunity I have been pursuing becomes available. I am hoping to start my career as a personal assistant to a reputable television producer/writer.
Question: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
Answer: I want to acknowledge that $40 million is not enough money to tackle any problem our planet currently faces, but I would ultimately put the money towards an organization working towards reforestation efforts, such as Trees for the Future, One Tree Planted or Plant With a Purpose. One-third of the world’s forests have been lost, but humanity needs trees for survival. Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, brings nutrients to our soil and even improve mental health. Deforestation is a serious environmental issue that affects many aspects of our lives, and I think it is important we address the issue sooner rather than too late. PT
