Harris F., aspiring writer at Ithaca College

Harris F. is having a terrific freshman experience at Ithaca College, both academically and socially. Thanks to a solid foundation built at Churchill and a strong work ethic, he masters his classes, and finds time to work as a Resident Assistant for his dorm floor as well as enjoy activities with his friends..

Ever since he was in middle school, Harris has known that he wanted to work in the film industry, which simplified the college search - only a handful of colleges have film programs. Narrowing the search down to three colleges, he picked Ithaca because he wanted to experience an environment different from New York City. Located in Ithaca, NY, Ithaca College is about a five hour drive from New York City.

“I just loved the campus,” he said in an interview over the phone about visiting Ithaca College for the first time. In addition to the campus environment and the academics, Harris liked that Ithaca prepares film students early on for their future careers by sending them to either Los Angeles or New York City for internships where they learn on the job and make industry connections.

To become accepted, Harris took both ACT and SAT and did better on the ACT. After working with a tutor he retook the ACT, raising his score. Extracurricular activities including having been on the Student Council at Churchill and working as a camp counselor several summers also contributed to his admission, he thinks.

The most important skill he learned at Churchill was self-advocacy.
“Because of the prep at Churchill, I can now approach my professors and get the support I need,” Harris says. At Ithaca, he has been using the writing center, but any other LD support than extended time has so far been unnecessary.
“It is good to know that it is available,” he says about the learning center, “in case I’d need it in the future.”

A film major focusing on script writing for radio and TV, Harris is planning a minor in English Literature or Writing. For a student with dyslexia who initially struggled with reading and writing, starting at Churchill in 4th grade was a transforming experience. A vivid imagination has been the driving force behind his development as a writer while learning how to handle his dyslexia.
“It shows that you can overcome anything,” Harris says about his accomplishments.

Harris misses the teachers at Churchill and visits every time he comes to New York. “I consider them my friends,” he says about the Churchill staff.
“Churchill’s a great environment, the best in the world.”