New Experiences

January 14th was a day full of new experiences. I was able to join Gisele on KDOL's Community Spotlight for a television interview based on the internship program provided through my school, Metwest high school. We were interviewed by Shonda Scott, CEO of public relations firm, 360 Total Concept, LLC. Shonda is also the executive producer and OAL Great Moments and also for KDOL Community Spotlight. With her many contributions to the Oakland community, Shonda Scott was recognized by a full City of Oakland Council Resolution in 2007. If these accomplishments weren't enough, Ms. Scott is now pursuing an MBA at Holy Names University.




This interview was a good experience because it was my first time being on tv. I was also able to experience my first time getting my make up done, and even my first time meeting our new mayor, Jean Quan. The first Asian- American mayor of Oakland, California. Although my meeting with her was short and sweet, I am really thankful to have met our first female mayor of. I was also able to meet a newly elected member on the City Council, Libby Schaaf. I was really excited after meeting her and Jean Quan because I was surrounded by a variety of women who have been successful in their careers.

I enjoyed the interview on KDOL television because I was able to talk about something that has been making a difference in my community: Metwest High schools' internship program. Being able to talk about the internship program to someone who doesn't know it as well was really interesting for me because I had to really think of how to explain why my school lets their students go out into the community on their own every Tuesday and Thursday to get real world experience. This was my first time being asked how I felt about the internship process and I enjoyed giving my personal opinions. My day was full of excitement and new experiences thanks to Gisele.

To get more information on Shonda Scott and what she does, go to http://www.360tcpr.com
For more information on KDOL Television, go to http://www.kdol.org or http://www.ousd.k12.ca.us

2011 Winter Open House

Being an intern at Positive Images has been a very good experience. Recently, I helped put together our 2011 Winter Open House. With this open house, I invited kids in my community to come out and have a good time. I was excited while planning this event because I knew kids at my school would take advantage of this opportunity and make it a great experience.

I encouraged youth to come out to this event to enjoy free food, free buddy photos, a DJ, and poetry performances. I really wanted the youth in Oakland to have a place to come to chill and to have fun with their friends.

In this blog, I added some photos that were taken at the open house. These are just a few of the great photos that were taken of some of the participants in our open house. Due to this event being such a success, I’m already working on a 2011 open house for the spring. If you have any ideas, please feel free to share them with me. I am open to suggestions to make our event better for everyone. Moving forward, we plan on hosting open houses four times a year. So your opinions and suggestions are welcomed. Thanks to all who came out! Happy New Year everyone.

Dion C.
Positive Images Intern

We had so much fun at the beach last month, that we are going to offer FREE Beach sessions to our Seniors in October too!

Senior Portraits at the beach, are a fun way to personalize your San Francisco, Oakland Bay Area Senior Portrait experience. At Positive Images, you can have traditional Cap and Gown Graduation Portraits, classic black drape, and tuxedo....but the best senior portraits created by our Oakland photography studio are the ones that express your unique personality and style.

Portrait photographer, Gisele Bonds will meet with you individually to help you design the perfect Senior Portrait session for you. Consultation appointments are your time to see all of our new products, check out examples of what other seniors around the Bay Area have done, and decide which options are best for you.

Call to schedule your Consultation Design appointment, before this warm weather fades away. (510)832-3686 www.positiveimages.biz

Senior Class of 2011...It's your time!

Met West High School: Internship Based Education

Positive Images has mentored students from Met West High School in Oakland since 2005. As a matter of fact, our very first Met West Intern, LaStarr Moore, will graduate from Sacramento State this semester. We are very proud of her and in her debt for bringing the Met West program to our attention.

This year we were able to participate in their Internship Fair which allowed me to interview numerous students during a 3 hour event. It was a unique way to meet students in a very unique learning environment. Students arrived in small groups at staggered times and then had opportunity to meet with the various businesses and organizations who had sent representatives to the Internship Fair.

I really enjoyed talking to the students and getting a glimpse at their personalities and interest. There was a full range. Some students had a clear direction and were passionate about a career path. A memorable example was a freshman boy who is committed to finding an internship that relates to dance. I suggested that he may have to get creative and create that position since it was an unusual fit. In true Met West fashion, he had already identified several organizations and businesses that he planned to approach. While Positive Images was clearly not a match for him, some lucky mentor is going to have a bright and energetic star added to their staff.

Other students, were completely open to all possible internships, excited about the process of exploring all their options. Many seemed overwhelmed with the daunting task of narrowing all their interest down to just one selection. And as with any school scenario...a few looked bored to tears.

As to the Positive Images Intern search, I met two very promising young women whom seemed genuinely interested in working at the studio. I was very impressed that each of them had emailed their director to request a Shadow Day at the studio, before I even left campus. I'm looking forward to getting to spending time with each of them and learning more about their goals. Being a mentor is very rewarding, and I feel honored to have had such amazing young people enter my life over the years.

To learn more about the Met West approach to education, check out their website. www.metwesths.org Perhaps this will be a good match for the needs of your student, or maybe YOU will be Met West's newest mentor!

We are Giving the Beach Away!

One of the most exciting ways to personalize your Senior Portrait Session, is to add a Beach Session. Now that our true Summer has finally arrived (Out beloved Indian Summer), it is an excellent opportunity to showcase your individuality in a way that can only happen in our beautiful Bay Area.

Personalize your Beach Session with your favorite sunglasses, book, MP3 player...the possibilities are endless. You can bring your favorite flowy dress or scarf....rock a sarong with your jeans. Just Do You! Our award winning photographer, Gisele Bonds, loves working on the water's edge, and will make sure you have a great time, exploring your inner, "Top Model".

We will give any 2011 Senior a FREE Beach Session if they book the rest of their Senior Session during September. Choose from traditional Cap & Gown, Glamour Wrap, Drape, Tux, or any aspect of your personality. We would love to invite you to the studio for a tour and Consultation Design Appointment. This will give you an opportunity to check out some of the hottest trends in Senior Portraits, and pick the elements that fit you and your family.

Phone to book your consultation appointment at (510)832-3686. there are great examples on our website, www.positiveimages.biz

Lets get to the beach!

Black College Fair

FREE Black College Fair Wednesday 9/15
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/DON-T-MISS--Black-College-Recruitment-Fair---Laney-College---September-15th.html?soid=1101216782431&aid=xuR-6ebsUPc

Internship Opportunity

Congresswoman Barbara Lee has internship opportunities for youth.

There are internships available with the District Office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
Student volunteers have the opportunity to:
* Provide direct service to constituents of the 9th Congressional District
* Learn the inner workings of a fast-paced Congressional office
* Research local issues and study the impacts of innovative national policies

Minimum
Commitment: 2 days per week (8 hrs/week total) for 3 months

Requirements:
Applicants must be students currently enrolled in an
accredited institution who live or attend school in the 9th
Congressional District.

Qualifications: Excellent written and oral communication skills,
professional manner, ability to attend a one-time orientation session
(date to be determined). This program is open only to students currently enrolled in academic institutions.

Duties:
Administrative support, community outreach, research, and casework
Application Process: Send a cover letter and resume to the Oakland District Office. The cover letter should include the dates of your
availability. The writing sample should illustrate the quality of your
writing and be no more than three (3) pages. In addition, be prepared to submit references.
Please do not send additional materials.
More Information: Lee.house.gov

http://lee.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=169&sectiontree=34,55,169