Emerson hosts program for Boston-area teens

Emerson is hosting the eighth annual Charles Beard Arts and Communication Exploration Program, a two-week series of courses for 25 Boston-area middle and high school students, July 9-20.

Beard program students learn from Emerson faculty member Christina Marin (center).

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion sponsors the summer program in collaboration with the YMCA Achievers Branch in Boston. Participating students, who come from diverse backgrounds, learn the basics of several fields offered at Emerson, including marketing, journalism, stage and theater production, radio, creative writing, and film production. Emerson faculty and staff teach the courses.

“Each year we see a talented group of bright, young students come to the Emerson College campus to participate in this summer program,” said Gloria Noronha-Peschau, program coordinator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and director of the Beard program. “We hope to help inspire these young people to put Emerson on their radar as they advance to high school and make college choices.”

High school students from the Boston area are participating in a two week summer program at Emerson.

The program will conclude with a showcase and awards ceremony attended by the participating students, their families, YMCA representatives, and Emerson faculty and staff. Students who excel in each field win subject awards and every participant is presented with a certificate of completion and treated to an ice cream sundae buffet.

The Charles Beard Arts and Communication Exploration Program was named in memory of Charles Beard, a communication lawyer and former chair of the Emerson College Board of Trustees. Beard was the first African American to be named partner in a major Boston law firm.