LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center has created the internship program for teens 16-18 who are interested in taking their love of the media arts to the next level as part of its April 14-18, 2008 Gideon Media Arts Conference.

“The Gideon Intern Program is a unique and fabulous part of the Gideon Media Arts Conference,” said Sarah Anne Sumpolec who, together with Vonda Skelton, is leading the internship program. “By media arts, we’re talking about things like screenwriting, acting, directing, radio, TV, church drama, producing, singing, dancing, etc.,” she explained.

The program is comprised of required classes that discuss what it means to be a professional in the industry, the importance of a strong spiritual foundation and how to develop character while learning the skills of one’s trade.

There also will be customized training that enables each intern to work with an industry professional within the intern’s field of interest, and elective classes from the wide array of workshops offered by the Gideon Media Arts Conference.

Interns will have time set aside each day to work on any schoolwork they need to complete. Those chosen are welcome to download a brochure off of the Web site to see if they can receive credit for attendance at the Gideon conference.

Interns will be responsible for all fees associated with attending the Gideon Media Arts Conference, including room, board, tuition and travel. A teen must turn 16 before the Gideon Conference (April 14, 2008) and should not turn 19 until after (April 18, 2008). Those 19 or older are welcome to sign up for the Gideon Media Arts Conference as a regular attendee.

The Gideon was started to give Christians who are interested in the media arts a place to encourage their talents, a venue to meet, learn, network and get advice from experts in the industry, and the opportunity to develop working and personal relationships that extend long after the Gideon is over.

"Our faculty are prayerfully considered and wonderfully selected by God. They are comprised of Christian producers, directors, writers, musicians, actors, DJ’s, performers, speakers and teachers and are chosen for the Gideon, not only for their accomplishments and expertise, but for their servant’s heart. We are blessed and humbled that these incredibly talented individuals are designing classes and workshops to stretch your mind and help you discover the path that God has placed in front of you," says Vonda Skelton who, with Sarah Anne Sumpolec, are honored to be co-directors of the Gideon Intern program for students 16 to 18 years old.

"We are excited about the opportunity for selected students to learn from some of the most notable Christian leaders in the movie, television, film, radio, and church drama industry. Participation in this program will be by invitation only. Applications will be accepted October 15 through December 15," Skelton told ASSIST News.

Gideon Intern Program: A Boot Camp Without the Sweat!

The Gideon Intern Program is a unique and fabulous part of the Gideon Media Arts Conference led by Generals Vonda Skelton and Sarah Anne Sumpolec. It is a battalion designed exclusively for teens ages 16 to 18 who are ready to take their love of the media arts to the next level.

"What are Media arts, you ask? Well, we’re talking about things like screenwriting, acting, directing, radio, TV, church drama, producing, singing, dancing, etc. Think you’ve got the right stuff? Read on to discover more about the program and how you can apply to be a GI!" Skelton said.

The GI program is comprised of three distinct parts: Boot Camp Basics for Privates, Custom Corporal Training, and Advanced Training for Sergeants.

Boot Camp Basic classes will be required for all GI’s. "This is where we’ll discuss what it means to be a professional in the industry, the importance of a strong spiritual foundation and how to develop character while you are learning the skills of your trade," Skelton explained.

Custom Corporal Training is led by GI Generals, Vonda and Sarah, whowill customize your training to work with an industry professional within the interns’ field of interest.

"That means if you want to write for film, they’ll get you connected with a working screenwriter. Interested in being a radio host? They can arrange for you to spend some time with a DJ. Each experience will be unique to the individual intern and will be designed once the selection process is completed," Skelton said..

She went on to explain about Advanced Training for Sergeants. "As the intern moves through the ranks, they will take their own course of action by choosing elective classes from the wide array of workshops offered by the Gideon Media Arts Conference."

Conference Requirements

Fees: Interns will be responsible for all fees associated with attending the Gideon Media Arts Conference, including room, board, tuition, and travel. (see fees and registration page)

Ages: You must turn 16 before the Gideon Conference (April 14, 2008) and should not turn 19 until after (April 18, 2008). Those 19 or older are welcome to sign up for the Gideon Media Arts Conference as a regular attendee. If you’re not 16 by next April, work hard throughout the year and apply for the GI program in 2009!

Registration Dates: Applications and all required forms will be available on October 15th here at the website. You will need to print everything out and mail your package to the Gideon Media Arts Conference, PO Box 5, Ridgecrest, NC 28770 before the deadline. Application packages will be accepted between the dates of October 15 through December 15, 2007. Those accepted into the program will be notified by February 1, 2008 and must register no later than March 1, 2008.

Skelton said: "The Gideon Interns will have time set aside each day to work on any schoolwork they need to complete. If you are chosen, you are also welcome to download a brochure off of the website to see if you can receive credit for your attendance at the Gideon conference. Vonda and Sarah will be available through e-mail should your school have any questions about the program."

She said that students should keep in mind while they’re filling out all this paperwork, that all graduating GI’s from the class of 2008 will be eligible to apply as a Captain for the GI Program for 2009.

"The Captains will aid and assist the next year’s incoming interns as well as the GI Generals by teaching intern classes. And a promotion to the rank of Captain will give you lots of great opportunities for networking along with a whole new level of training." Skelton said.

About the Gideon Intern Program Leaders

Vonda Skelton is an award-winning playwright, speaker, author, and registered nurse. She has two books to be released in 2008: Seeing through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe, is her first women’s book.

Bitsy and the Mystery at Hilton Head Island is the third in her mystery series for children and teens. As a freelance writer, her articles and scripts have appeared in Focus on the Family publications, HomeLife, Christian Single, New Man Magazine, Let’s Worship!, Family Doctor Magazine, The Charlotte World newspaper, www.keepkidshealthy.com  and many others.

Vonda is a frequent speaker at Christian women’s events and has been on the faculty of several leading writers conferences, including the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and the Glorieta Christian Writers Conference. She is a graduate of CLASServices and is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (ASWA). Vonda has spoken to over 15,000 kids in public, private and Christian schools, teaching writing workshops and week-long writer-in-residence programs to youth. As an actress, drama director, and writer of church plays and sketches, Vonda understands the joys and struggles of creative ministry from both sides of the script. Along with Sarah Anne Sumpolec, Vonda is co-directing the Gideon Intern Program and will be teaching classes in church drama during the Gideon conference. www.vondaskelton.com

Sarah Anne Sumpolec gave up writing when she was a teenager because she was told she didn’t have enough talent. Fast forward a few years and Sarah has written five young adult novels, the Becoming Beka series (Moody Publishers) and is at work on her third screenplay. One of her books earned second place in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest and the screenplay adaptation of her novel series was a finalist in the Faith & Values Screenwriting Competitions. Sarah is an alumnus of Act One: Writing for Hollywood and has a passion for storytelling. She is equally passionate about encouraging the next generation of storytellers so they won’t give up on the gifts God has given them.

Sarah is a graduate from the University of Mary Washington and holds both a bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary teaching certification. She is a member of AWSA (Advance Writers and Speakers Association) and speaks on the hot topics facing teens today like cutting, suicide, and her personal testimony of leaving behind the lifestyle of a teenage witch and accepting Jesus Christ as her savior. Sarah has been married to Jeff, a licensed professional counselor, for twelve years and together they have three daughters. Along with Vonda Skelton, Sarah will be co-directing our intern program for the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival.
Website: www.sarahannesumpolec.com

Got questions? You can contact your Generals at the following email addresses: Vonda Skelton vondaskelton@gmail.com  or Sarah Anne Sumpolec sarah@sarahannesumpolec.com  

"We invite you to join us in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to celebrate the art within and proclaim its purpose," said Skelton.

She asks: "So what are you waiting for? The Gideon needs a few young men and women like you!"

This is a direct link to the student program at the website: www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D165715%252526M%25253D201125%2C00.html

Vonda Skelton
864-963-5892 Home
864-906-2256 Cell
vondaskelton@charter.net  
www.VondaSkelton.com   
www.SeeingThroughTheLies.com  

Melissa Inman
Marketing Specialist
LifeWay Conference Centers & Camps
One LifeWay Plaza
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Nashville, TN 37234-0106
615.251.2941
fax 615.277.8232
melissa.inman@lifeway.com
www.lifeway.com/conferencecenters  

** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Lake Forest, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. His weblog appears at: Michael's Wor(l)d BLOG