Fairfield, CA – Two Fairfield High School students earned top honors and a ticket to the state championships, set for early April.
The duo of Estevan Vaca Mozqueda and Alberto Rodriguez competed in the Digital Cinema category of the California Region 1 Leadership and Skills Conference in January. The conference is organized by SkillsUSA, a national workforce development for students.
The regional SkillsUSA conference featured students from across Solano County and 10 other counties in the region, competing for a spot at the state competition. Estevan, who competed in the state championships for Digital Cinema in 2024, teamed up this year with a new partner to create a short film based on the challenge “Dream Beyond the Struggle.”
“Estevan’s creative journey is a perfect illustration of what our CTE programs can achieve,” Edward Fee said. “His dedication and ever-growing award-winning portfolio has become a cornerstone of our school's success, reinforcing our commitment to excellence both district-wide and statewide."
The Digital Cinema category requires teams of two to create a short narrative film. Judges interview each filmmaking duo and review their notes related to the project. Estevan and Alberto’s film, titled “Reflections in the Cup,” follows a homeless man who dares to embrace his lifelong dream of painting, unveiling a hidden talent that transforms his harsh reality into a pathway toward a hopeful, successful new life.
"Our students continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in digital filmmaking,” said Digital Video Production advisor Edward Fee. “Estevan and Alberto have brilliantly combined technical mastery with innovative storytelling, inspiring their peers to aim even higher.”
Estevan and Alberto will join more than 4,000 high school students from across California to compete at the 58th State Leadership & Skills Conference from April 10-13 in Ontario, Ca.
Digital Video Production is one of several Career Technical Education courses offered at Fairfield High School. In addition to participating in competitions like SkillsUSA, Digital Video Production students have worked on projects like creating commercials for VibeSolano and the Safe Routes 2 School Program, promoting bike-to-school initiatives. To learn more about Career Technical Education opportunities at FSUSD, visit https://fairfieldsuisunusdca.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fsusd/page/career-technical-education1