Media Arts Elective Gives Students a New Creative Outlet

A Media Arts student asks a question to the teacher, Gui Moises, during class discussions. [by Enzo Vicarri]

By: Rafael Oliveira

At PACA, students are discovering creativity in new ways through the Media Arts elective, a class that was introduced to the high school curriculum in the first week of classes of the 2025–2026 school year.

The Media Arts class, taught by first-year PACA teacher Guilherme Moisés, introduces students to photography, videography, and documentary-making while teaching them how to use professional equipment.

One student, freshman Sam Barreto, started off the school year with an empty space for his sixth period elective. On his first day, he needed to visit the guidance counselor to choose among the available electives. He explained why Media Arts felt different from other options.

“It seemed like an elective that stood out from all the others, and it seemed like I could familiarize myself with it more than the other. I also feel like I can use it a lot within my day-to-day life,” said Barreto.

Students especially enjoy the hands-on projects, like taking photos around the school. The course description explains that students will be guided through the production process of capturing photographs and videos so they will be able to tell stories through documentaries.

“We got to take pictures throughout the school and I liked it because it was a lot different from other projects I have ever done,” said Barreto. “It was also nice to learn to take pictures with a professional camera.”

Mr. Moisés explained why Media Arts was added to the high school curriculum as an elective option for 9th and 10th grade students.

“The idea was to help students entering Journalism, Cinema, and Yearbook to have a basic understanding of media, specialized machinery, and be able to explore different kinds of instruments that will help them on their task the further that they go on with their studies,” said Moisés.

According to Moisés, students first learn the basics of handling a camera before moving on to advanced features. They eventually will create a short documentary as their final project. He believes it is a class that provides both interest and practical skills to the academic life of high school students.

“It’s a very fun and useful class that can help a lot with taking pictures, filming a video or documentary,” said Moisés.

Even though students face challenges in learning how to use the new equipment—like balancing all the elements of a good photo—Barreto believes the class is worth it. He shared that photography has changed the way he looks at the world.

“Photography made me see details I usually wouldn’t notice, and that makes me appreciate things more,” said Barreto.

The Media Arts class is offered for one semester during 6th period. The 12 ninth grade and 8 tenth grade students meet in room S2 for their lessons. Expect to see them roaming the campus with cameras ready in the weeks to come.