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Recently, students from the advanced digital media arts class at Soquel High School toured the photography department at Cabrillo College. The purpose of the visit was to give students a look at some of the course offerings that the department offers and a glimpse at some of the other visual and performing arts courses offered at Cabrillo.

The tour included a walk-through of classes, which was an effective way of showing the students first hand what a class session would be like in real life. To enhance the tour into a more immersive and realistic experience, the tour leaders — photo department faculty Lesley Louden and Janet Fine — set up a hands-on demonstration for the students, which turned out to be the highlight of the trip, according to school digital media arts instructor Marco Lucadano.

In spite of the proximity of Cabrillo College to Soquel High, for many of the Soquel students it was their first time on the Aptos campus, Lucadano said. Some impressions included delight at the fresh appearance of the facilities. Compared to Soquel High, whose construction dates back to the 1960s with only partial facility updates that have recently occurred, it is no surprise that the students were impressed by the well-maintained grounds and classrooms.

After the walk-through, the students were gathered into the photo studio where Fine and Louden had a digital photo transfer demonstration set up. Earlier in the week, the students were required to submit some of their digital photos they had taken for the demo and then Fine printed the photos on transparent film. The transfer process also included a sheet of watercolor paper, hand sanitizer, a roller and a spoon.

When complete, the digital image was transferred onto the paper with stunning color saturation and subtle texture that enhanced the appearance of the photo. The students were captivated by the process and expressed delight over the result and how different their images appeared in an alternative print process as opposed to on-screen, Lucadano said.

The visit left a lasting impression on the Soquel High School digital media arts instructor. “I have over 25 years of teaching high school and this was one of the most engaging trips I have taken students on,” said Lucadano. “When they applied this extension of their knowledge of digital to the digital transfer process it became a truly inspiring moment for them (the Soquel students).”

The Monterey Bay Dog Training Club will celebrate the retirement of long-time dog trainer Luane Vidak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay Ave., Capitola. Anyone who has trained with Luane is welcome to stop to attend.  

Vidak has touched hundreds of Santa Cruz County residents by creating that special bond between dogs and their humans. She has helped many dogs become great family members and has led many handlers into the world of dog competition.

Vidak is one of the founders of Monterey Bay Dog Training Club, a 56-year-old nonprofit dog training club. Since the late 1960s, Vidak has trained handlers and their dogs. Through the years she has completed 29 obedience titles, 18 agility titles, one rally title, six hunt titles and multiple bench champions.

Mary Whitney, of Aptos, has been inducted into the Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society at College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, Massachusetts.

Whitney is one of 34 new inductees this year who exemplify the society’s values of excellence in scholarship, loyalty and service. Selection to Alpha Sigma Nu is one of the highest honors that can be given on a Jesuit campus. Candidates for membership are selected from the top 15% of their class, and from this group membership will be awarded to only 4%.

Got a story to tell, an event to report, an award to announce? Tell Name dropping. Email Namedropping@santacruzsentinel.com. Name dropping is published Sundays and Mondays in the Sentinel.

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