The first ever Visual Effects and Design class consisted of a group of students interested in trying something new and innovative. Their hard work and contributions laid the foundation from which we have built our program into what it is today - the only high school special effects program of its kind in the world. In the basement of our building, these students created everything from drawings and paintings, to sculptures, masks, props, and video projects. Much in the same way George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic got started, students used everything they could find around them to bring their imaginations to life. I will never be able to thank these students enough for what they did for me as a teacher, and for how their efforts have allowed other creative young men and women to create works of fantasy through their imaginations.   THANK YOU.