Thomas County Central High School alumnus Brian Siceloff recently returned to his alma mater to talk with students in the Audio Video Technology and Film pathway.
Siceloff is a documentary filmmaker. He specializes in stories of humanitarian relief in disasters and conflict zones. He’s also an alumnus of the TCCHS “Broadcasting” program, which is part of the school’s Career Technical Agricultural Education – or CTAE – department.
“The Broadcasting program at Thomas County Central really jumpstarted my career as a filmmaker,” Siceloff said. “There are so many great opportunities with video production in the world, and I hope my experiences encourage students to pursue it further. Randy Young (teacher) and TCCHS invested so much into me as a young, aspiring filmmaker and I want to show my gratitude now through encouragement and partnership.”
He wants current AVTF students to understand that video production isn’t a single path but a vehicle that can take them down numerous paths toward what they wish to share with the world. However, to do so will require a challenging combination of attention, skill and ambition, which are lifelong lessons, he adds.
Siceloff can’t overstate the impact his participation in this program had on him, both personally and professionally.
“It gave me the skills and confidence I needed to pursue college and a career,” he says.
And he enjoys connecting with current students.
“I enjoy connecting with students who have that same ambition for storytelling and hope to be an encouragement for them,” Siceloff shares.
Students who participated appreciated the opportunity.
“It meant a lot to me to see someone who went through the same program that I am going through now be so successful in the field of film production,” Meg Harnevious said. “It gives me a sense [of] hope that I too can be successful.”
Rachel Copeland found Siceloff’s visit inspiring and said it made her want to continue growing and learning from this program.
“The most important thing that I learned from the visit was that you should always care about people and try to make a difference in the world through films,” she said. “I thought it was really awesome how he has been everywhere in the world and helped so many people.”
Former instructor Randy Young is very proud of Siceloff for both his professional accomplishments and how he still cares about his hometown.
"This young man has visited 54 countries, been all around the world, and has been a part of raising literally millions of dollars to help people in need, and yet he still wants to make himself available to inspire younger students right here in the program where he got his start,” Young said. “That means a lot to me and to our students, some of whom are now motivated to follow in his footsteps."
Siceloff hopes support for vocational arts in local schools continues.
“The career skills and life lessons really are invaluable and open doors for students,” he said. “I am very grateful to this program and this town for doing that for me.”