The Center for Communications and Media Relations, located at Varina High School, offers qualified students a rigorous college-preparatory program of studies in communications. 

In traditional classrooms, television studios and computer labs, students master skills in writing, speaking, television, computer information systems, multimedia, photography, graphic design, journalism, advertising and public relations.

When students study communications, they prepare themselves for dozens of careers, including television, print media, graphic design — and even teaching, politics and law. The center is home to a two television studios and control rooms, two computer labs used for video editing and graphic design and a presentation studio.  Here students learn to speak with confidence, write with precision, and design with flair so that any message they want to send will be effective, whether it is heard, read or viewed.

• Comprehensive study and refinement of writing and speaking skills necessary for effective communication.

• Rigorous college-preparatory program in a specialized learning environment that allows students to pursue their interests in communications.

• Applications of the principles of communications in areas such as television, multimedia, photography, graphic design, journalism, advertising and public relations.

• Production of student news shows, commercials, newspapers, speeches, multimedia presentations and a senior portfolio.

• Use of advanced technology to research and write television scripts and newspaper stories,  to design newspaper graphics and posters, and to shoot and edit news packages and commercials.

• Ethical and technical aspects of communications.

• Field trips, shadowing opportunities and field experiences in partnership with businesses and other community organizations.

Students in the Center for Communications and Media Relations:

• Write for the Center's award-winning school newspaper and our student news show, "The Morning Show."

• Appear on television in school and countywide broadcasts.

• Design newspapers, newsletters, logos, advertisements and posters.

•  Use advanced technology to research interdisciplinary projects and write television scripts and newspaper stories.

• Create informative, persuasive, motivational and computer-assisted oral presentations.

• Learn more about computers, computer networks and the internet.

• Use computer software programs such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro and WeVideo.

• Shoot, edit and produce video projects such as commercials, news packages and interviews.

• Participate in field trips to local museums, theaters, television studios and newspapers.

• Study English literature and composition in Advanced Placement English 11 and 12 classes.

The Center for Communications and Media Relations strives to:

• Provide a comprehensive study and refinement of  writing and speaking skills necessary for effective communication.

• Provide a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum in a specialized learning environment that enables students to pursue their interests in the field of communications.

• Help students become knowledgeable uses of information technologies and to develop a global communications perspective.

• Offer students opportunities to apply their communications skills in television, multimedia, photography, computer information systems, graphic design, mass media, advertising, journalism and public relations.

• Provide opportunities for students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers in academic study as well as in practical learning and work environments.