Future Buffaloes recently were able to roam the land of Milligan College.
The college’s “Be A Buff” summer program ran from July 17-22 with approximately 60 high school students taking part in multiple activities to gauge on what their futures will be upon graduation.
“Our ‘Be A Buff’ summer camp was such a success,” said Phyllis Fox, director of church relations. “We’ve already had one student from Jonesborough who took part in the camp to express interest in continuing his schooling at Milligan after he graduates high school.”
Teenagers between the ages of 14 to 18 years old were offered four different camp opportunities: digital media, basketball, musical theater, and the inaugural year for nursing.
“There was a lot of excitement for our nursing program,” Fox said.
Students worked with the faculty on campus and utilized tools offered from Sycamore Shoals to complete different activities, including CPR training. Students were also offered a penning ceremony of sorts at the conclusion of their camp.
Along with the rousing success of nursing camp, students were offered an opportunity to hone their crafts in digital media.
“We had several students turn out for our digital media camp,” Fox added. “Students were able to work on videography, graphic design and other important skills.”
Students participating in the class were divided into two separate groups when working on their final projects, with one group interviewing Linda Duncan, a local business owner, while the other group spent time interviewing different farmers’ markets in the Tri-Cities.
With digital media and nursing out of the way, the future acting stars of the region were able to strut their stuff for attendees at the conclusion of the musical theater camp, according to Fox.
“Our students that participated in the theater camp did such a wonderful job,” she said.
Students began their journey on Monday and ended the week with their own performance. Using Disney and Broadway productions as their muse, the campers were able to produce their own script and perform a 40-plus minute production for family, friends and faculty inside the McGlothin-Street Theatre.
Even though the camps have concluded for this year, Milligan College is already excited about what’s ahead for the next batch of students looking to “Be A Buff.”
“This was an important tradition we look to continue,” Fox said about the program. “We want to work with the community and local students to help give them guidance on their future careers and help them grow as members of the community.”