Schools
Award winning Utica Community Schools film student awarded merit scholarship from top arts college
Henry Ford II student awarded merit scholarship to Center for Creative Studies
An award-winning Utica Community Schools film student has earned a prestigious scholarship to one of the nation’s premier arts colleges.
Henry Ford II senior PJ Michalski earned a merit scholarship valued at nearly $70,000 for the Center of Creative Studies (CSS), recently ranked the third top design school in the United States.
“PJ’s accomplishment is a great source of pride for our community,” superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. “He is a young man of tremendous talent who will continue to achieve great success as he pursues his love of filmmaking.”
Michalski earned two Best of Shows honors this summer in the 48th annual Digital Arts, Film and Television competition, held at the 48th annual Michigan Student Film Festival.
He earned the honors for his work on two PSAs with anti-drug (https://vimeo.com/157673531) and anti-littering (https://vimeo.com/158568326) messages.
The videos were part of the portfolio that earned Michalski the CCS merit scholarship. CCS is a nonprofit, private college that provides students with the tools needed for successful careers in dynamic and growing creative industries. LinkedIn, the country’s largest professional network, recently named CCS the third best design school in the nation.
Henry Ford II photography teacher Joseph Elliot described Michalski “as extremely hard working and dedicated” filmmaker.
Michalski said that his experiences at Henry Ford II High School have helped put him on the path to become a filmmaker.
“I think (Henry Ford II High School) played a huge role in helping me get where I am now,” Michalski said. “They provided me with so many opportunities to follow whatever career path I wanted. They also supplied resources to help me learn this craft at a much quicker pace.”
Source: Utica Community Schools
Dr. Christine Johns, Superintendent of Schools
