Local News

(BPT) – Careers in the video game industry are highly desirable, and for good reason. Working for a video game company can be rewarding, and equally important, turns a favorite pastime into an exciting career. However, for tween and teen girl gamers, the prospect of one day working in the video game industry may seem daunting. While 46% of the U.S. gamer population is female, women account for only 22% of video game developers.

Women are taking the reins developing, designing and marketing video games. Lisa Wackenhuth Svanström, a 3D Artist at Star Stable Entertainment, a multiplayer game featuring horses, magic and adventure, offers career advice to young women who may want a career in the video game industry:

1. What inspired you to build a career in the video game industry?

“I am a lifelong gamer, artist and digital creator and now, my official title at Star Stable is 3D Artist. Working for a company like this allows me to unite my interests and skills to create magic for girl gamers around the world. The artistic process of designing the 3D horses inspires me the most. It is so rewarding to have an idea in my mind, sketch out a new design and work with all the visuals such as 3D models, characters, textures, environments, props and ultimately release the final product for horse-loving girls who play our game every day.”

2. What are the types of jobs for women in the development studio?

“To build a game, artists (3D, 2D, VFX and animators), designers and programmers need to work closely together from start to finish. Artists work on the overall creative vision. Designers work with the mechanics and features. Then, programmers use their coding knowledge to bring it all to life. We work with producers to make sure that all tasks associated with the development process are completed on time and tracking with the overall vision of the project. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, developers focused on mobile and virtual/mixed reality are in high demand, as are tech animators, who use a combination of creative and animation skills to solve issues related to art production.”

3. What other types of jobs do women have in the industry outside the development studio?

“It takes dozens of people with specific skillsets for a video game company to succeed. Community managers interact with players daily to ensure they are having a positive experience with the game and make sure fan feedback is implemented. We also have women running the business at the executive level and as product managers and business developers. There are multiple opportunities, inside and out of the development studio, so you must embrace your skills and interests to find which career path you would enjoy most.”

4. What are the most important skills needed to succeed?

“Budding video game developers need to network, to get to know different game engines, become familiar with 2D and 3D software, and try new games all the time. Then, become a specialist in the aspect that interests you the most. Developing specific skills is important but developing into a well-rounded person with a broad view of the world is equally important. It is also good to dive into sports, learn the arts, take a computer class or explore theater. Never stop learning and challenging yourself.”

5. What advice do you have for young girls who want a career in video games?

“A career in the video game industry, perhaps born out of a hobby or passion, is legitimate and can be profitable too. Today, there are dedicated game developing programs at universities. And, finding a role model is key. Seek opinions from colleagues or bosses who have different work than yours – find a marketer, back-end programmer or member of the executive team and learn from them.

“It’s also important to find a company that embraces women in all roles and embodies a culture of inclusivity and accessibility – the Star Stable team is more than 50% women. Finally, give back. If every woman who is part of the 22% proactively mentors other young women, imagine the next generation who will one day grow up to become our colleagues!”

It’s not easy to hide something from a school’s Principal, however, the staff at Indian Woods Elementary found a way to make it happen. Principal Kathy Kish was told the school was hosting an assembly to celebrate March Reading Month. It wasn’t completely a lie. The surprise, though? Principal Kish received notice that she was one of five National Grand Prize Finalists for the LifeChanger of the Year award.

Principal Kish was nominated by Port Huron Schools Executive Director of Employee and Student Services, Tracie Eschenburg. All educators across the country are eligible for nomination as LifeChanger of the Year. Eschenburg says she nominated Principal Kish for routinely going above and beyond. Some examples of this include her positive handling of last year’s closing of Kimball Elementary School, interacting with her students year-round with events, and taking one-on-one interest with students and their families.

As one of the five National Grand Prize Finalists, she’s been awarded $5,000, which is split $2,500 for her and $2,500 for Indian Woods Elementary. The Grand Prize winner will be announced in April with that individual receiving an additional $5,000 to split with their school.

Principal Kish hopes to use her prize money to help her teachers with some of their wants and needs that were previously not in the budget for this year. When asked about her feelings about the award, Principal Kish said she feels blessed to be able to do the work she does and she’s a firm believer in public education.

To see the full story, go to ebw.tv.

(Port Huron Township)  Due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is taking steps to safeguard the public and employees.

Effective immediately, the following changes will take place until further notice:

 

• All public contact to the jail will be limited to professional staff and attorneys only
• All on-site visits have been suspended
• On-line video visitation will remain available for inmate visits remotely
• All jail programs have been suspended
• Intervention Academy has cancelled classes through April 6th
• Citizens will not be able to come into the office for fingerprints, purchase permits, SOR, visitation, or any other services. 

These measures are in response to guidelines provided by the State of Michigan to help limit the spread of this disease.  We appreciate the cooperation of the citizens of St. Clair County during this difficult time.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office 3/13/20 @ 4:58 PM

After many years of hard work, Port Huron native, McKale Jude Bingham will make her debut on the Disney Channel.

Bingham began acting at the Port Huron Civic Theatre around the age of six with the stage production of Oliver. From there, she continued with the Civic Theatre for a number of years before performing on stage at Port Huron Northern. During her senior year, McKale says she started to think that she may be able to pursue acting professionally. McKale has been working on auditioning and writing and during this time, she landed a role in a popular Disney Channel show. 

This summer, she will be returning to Port Huron to teach her second theater summer camp for elementary-age students. She describes it as a five-day camp through Port Huron Parks & Recreation where kids will audition, learn lines, create costumes, and ultimately perform a show at the end of the week for their parents at McMorran Theater.

She credits her family with being very supportive and says they have always encouraged her to follow her dreams, no matter how challenging they are. McKale’s Disney Channel debut on Bunk’d airs Friday, March 13th at 8PM.

A local man recently made a trip to Washington, D.C. to advocate for rights of those living with disabilities. Robert Furtado of Burtchville traveled as one of two legislative liaisons for the State Chapter of the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

While in the nation’s capital, Furtado attended a two-day conference of the American Council of the Blind. Furtado told us that the Council worked on bills including advocating for a wage increase for the sub-minimum wage that disabled workers sometimes earn and eliminating the marriage penalty for those who receive Supplemental Security Income. Furtado’s group worked on another issue involving transportation and the coverage of things like Uber to get disabled persons to public transportation options.

Furtado said that his long history of disability advocacy began in the 1970s when he was denied a bank account from a Port Huron bank because as a permanently blind person, he did not have a driver’s license. This prompted him to lobby for state ID cards to become acceptable forms of identity for financial institutions. Furtado is the organizer of a statewide MCBVI conference and convention for the entire disability community that will be held at the Blue Water Convention Center in October.

Director of Port Huron’s Parks and Recreation Department, Nancy Winzer, is continuing her department’s quest to make the city’s parks into individual destinations. Gratiot Park could be getting some help from the Chris and Dana Reeve Foundation, in the amount of $25,000, to get some equipment to make a day at the park fun for everyone, even those living with paralysis or other disabilities. 

The Port Huron City Council has approved applying for the grant and the application is now being completed. According to the Reeve Foundation’s website, “…the Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program awards grants to nonprofit organizations that impact and empower people living with paralysis, their families and caregivers.” 

Christopher Reeve was an actor who famously played the role of Superman and was later paralyzed in an accident. He and his wife, who have both passed, dedicated their foundation “to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.” 

The city has already received a $50,000 grant from the DNR for upgrades to Gratiot Park. Michigan Rehabilitation Services has been assisting with the planning of the park accessibility upgrades and is planning fundraisers in the fall. Winzer said the goal is not just to make the park accessible, but to make it fun for everyone of all physical abilities.