Eight local high school students are attending a different kind of "Boot Camp" June 11 - 21 at the University of Nevada, Reno. The students were chosen through a competitive application process to be participants in the 2nd annual Smallwood Foundation Multimedia Boot Camp. Over the course of two weeks, the students will receive rigorous instruction and hands-on experience in a wide range of media and research activities at the University's award-winning Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center, one of the most technologically advanced libraries in the country.

The students, all high school seniors this coming fall, will make use of the full range of multimedia equipment and software provided in the Knowledge Center's @One area, including the use of state-of-the-art media facilities. They will receive concentrated instruction in audio, video and media editing skills using Final Cut Pro, Flash, iMovie, Camtasia, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe After-Effects. In professional-level projects, they will learn how to shoot video with HD camcorders, integrate images, develop informative posters, create 2D and 3D animation, and use recording room technologies.

The Multimedia Boot Camp is provided free of charge to students, thanks to a grant from the Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation. All of the student attendees are also allowed to use the Knowledge Center and all it has to offer throughout their senior year in high school.

In addition, the Smallwood Foundation has provided a two-year $2,500 annual scholarship to attend the University to the student exhibiting the most potential. This student, named the "Smallwood Foundation Scholar," will also have a chance to work in the Knowledge Center's @One multimedia area during his or her undergraduate career at the University.

The 2012-2014 Smallwood Foundation Scholar is Mathew Saunders. Saunders impressed faculty members with the body of work he produced during the summer 2011 Boot Camp and throughout his senior year at McQueen High School. Saunders further impressed faculty members with his passion for multimedia, as well as his dedication and self-discipline.

Nicole Allen, another student participant in last year's Boot Camp, has received a one-time, $1,000 scholarship from Friends of the University Libraries. In addition to further developing her multimedia portfolio during her senior year, Allen also worked as a student classroom assistant to her Reed High School teacher, translating her multimedia talent and passion into classroom lessons that met students at their learning levels. Allen will be working with student participants during this year's Boot Camp.

Besides providing a learning experience for students, the Boot Camp is also aimed at spreading the word among high school students about what the University of Nevada, Reno has to offer.

"The Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center just impresses everyone who steps through its doors," said Kathy Ray, dean of University Libraries. "It is such a terrific resource for our students and we believe exposing high school students to the Knowledge Center will help them realize all this University has to offer, and will aid in recruitment efforts."

For more information on the Smallwood Multimedia Boot Camp go to Smallwood Bootcamp Facebook page and Smallwood Bootcamp Facebook Image Gallery.