Faces of Saint Monica Preparatory-Students

Junior Alishah Castillo began to develop a passion for photography during her freshman year at Saint Monica Preparatory. Castillo was accepted to the Ghetto Film School (GFS), a nonprofit founded to educate, develop and celebrate the next generation of storytellers. GFS offers high school students an all-expenses paid, 30-month program beginning the summer before freshman year through the summer of junior year.

As a first-year fellow of the program, Castillo learned the basics of film. Sophomore year she produced her first major film shot with a 16 MM Bolex camera. In partnership with the Huntington Library, GFS Fellows had the opportunity to construct visual portraits of a person, place or thing, that exists uniquely in their world, reflecting on the theme of “Everywhere & Nowhere.” The final year of the program, junior year, students write scripts that are voted on to become the script for the film. Through GFS, Castillo met Veronica Grazer, SMPREP board member. Grazer has become a mentor to Castillo, helping her with her scripts and films. Castillo says, “She has helped me develop my own craft that expresses my unique voice.” In addition to GFS, Castillo was a part of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ first ever Teen Council that helps develop programming for their peers while helping Castillo understand various roles of cast and crew.

Castillo credits the SMPREP community with helping her make invaluable connections like Mrs. Grazer. She says, “It goes to show the strong community and that we really are one big Mariner Family. Especially if you meet someone you have never met before, they will go out of their way to help you. Support is there for you whenever you need it.” SMPREP Performing Arts Director Alex Holmes has also had a meaningful impact on Castillo. She recalls being able to ask him film-related questions, noting that his acting class gave her another perspective to better understand the actors versus the crew, which has helped her improve her films. 

Castillo aspires to attend USC or NYU because both offer combined film and business majors. Best of luck to her as she finishes her time here at SMPREP and as she continues her education.