Grade seven students launch their own comic book - Shazaam!

TORONTO, Nov. 29 /CNW/ - Tonight, students of Second Street Junior Middle
School officially launched Shazaam!, a comic book of their own creation.
Freeze DNA, a local graphic design company, delivered in-class training
at the school that focused on art techniques, creativity, literacy and
communication skills. Through group dynamics and team building, students
created their own story and storyboard. Each student then completed one page
of the comic book. The book has been professionally printed and each student,
homeroom teacher, and the school librarian will receive a full colour copy.
Shazaam! is a joint partnership between the City of Toronto, the
Lakeshore Community Partnership, Toronto District School Board, Lakeshore Arts
and Humber College.
The comic book format offers an open, inclusive method to engage the
students in drawing, design and writing while enabling their teachers to
adhere to the curriculum and to reach out to youth who may be struggling and
give them an alternative way of expressing themselves.
"This is an opportunity for young people to discover their artistic and
writing talents and to develop them in a fun and non-academic manner. It also
offers students a chance to be mentored by professionals in the comic book
business," said Toby Fletcher, president of the Lakeshore Community
Partnership.
Shazaam! is the first step in a pilot program that will grow every year
to include the next grade and extend into high school, giving students a
unique opportunity to explore career choices in art and graphic design at the
post secondary level.
"Through this creative process the participants have developed skills not
only in making art, but also in leadership, co-operation and personal
empowerment," said Nadira Pattison, Manager, Arts Services, Toronto Culture.
"They will be able to take the skills they have learned into the future. They
have discovered a new vehicle with which to express themselves, in a medium
where anything is possible."

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