Jesse Bethel High School in Vallejo is making history as the only active high school with an official student chapter of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), an internationally recognized organization. - The chapter, led by student chairman Shaun Paul Calaguas, provides hands-on experience with film technology and industry networking.
- SMPTE membership includes notable figures like Walt Disney and George Lucas, highlighting its prestige. - Multimedia teacher Ryan Richards and faculty advisor Ralph Ortolano guide students, emphasizing both technical skills and networking.
- The program aims to create a pipeline from multimedia courses to the SMPTE chapter, exposing students to diverse careers in media and entertainment. This early exposure is reshaping students' career paths and giving them a head start in the film industry.