By Jackie Fletcher, Opinions Editor

Kathleen Durant, representative of OceanFirst Bank, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 30 for the new digital pop-up studio for which she and her company provided funding.

“Each year we award $150,000 in grants to various schools. The proposal that Trinity submitted ticked all the boxes; it was creative, new, exciting, refreshing…we knew it would make an impact on the students here,” Durant said.

Equipment for the school’s new “Digital Pop-up Studio,” which was funded by a grant from OceanFirst Foundation, was unveiled by (L to R) Head of School Mary Sciarrillo, student body vice president Brigid C., student body president Bridget A. and Kathleen Durant of OceanFirst Bank on May 30 at Trinity Hall.  Photo by Kate Burgess

After a welcome from Head of School Mary Sciarrillo and technical coordinators Melissa Whelan and Lauren Pappa, juniors Bridget Andree and Brigid Clifford, Student Body President and Vice President respectively, cut the ribbon alongside members of OceanFirst, unveiling green screens, new cameras, MacBook laptops and other digital video and broadcasting equipment that were purchased thanks to the OceanFirst grant.

In addition, students showcased some of their projects made possible using the new equipment so Durant could see the educational opportunities the grant has provided.

As Trinity Hall expands its offerings to students, this digital pop-up studio will continue to facilitate creative, interdisciplinary projects at Trinity Hall. In fact, a new club entitled “Digital Monarchs” formally launched this year as an outlet for students to use the technology and develop their ideas. Pappa, one of the faculty advisors, said she envisions “a Monarch newsroom and a documentary-style, insider-scoop production titled ‘The Hall,’ like [the television show] The Office.”

Students and faculty alike were excited by this addition to the expanding resources available at Trinity Hall and the innovative projects that are now on the horizon for the upcoming school year that will continue to challenge and enrich students’ skills and foster their passions.