My name is Dwight Norris, and I’m a second year participant in the Insight Media Arts Program.  I’m really excited because I’m graduating from high school this month, and I’m going on to college.

I’ve been on my own almost my whole life.  I’m 19 years old, and have been a ward of the state since I was three.  I dropped out of school at one point, and really didn’t know what I was going to do with my life.  Participating in Insight helped me to get my head together, believe in myself, and push to make my dreams come true. 

I’ve been accepted in college at the Illinois Art Institute – Chicago to study film and video.  They are one of the best schools for film and video production in Chicago and the US, and I was inspired to go after this goal by participating in Insight. 

Before Insight, I used to dream of being an actor.  Insight steered me in a bigger direction because I saw that film and video production and having the skills to create and produce can open the door to many more opportunities and a more solid career.

The tools and skills and experience that I got from working with the Insight program inspired me to go to film school.  I learned that I could have a successful and lucrative career in film and my interest was really peaked. I saw that film and video production can open the door for other things – that I could lay a solid foundation for myself.

Now I dream of making my own films, as well as acting in them.  I want to be the next Spike Lee or Tyler Perry – write and make my own stuff.  You know what I mean?  Being a part of Insight helped me to see that these goals are possible to achieve.

I like the teachers, and the friends that I’ve made in the program.  It’s a really good program, and it keeps you out of trouble, especially in these days and hard times.  Insight  keeps me pushing forward to follow my dreams and my goals to go to college and do something with my life.

I plan to continue on with the Insight program for as long as I can.  I would like to work with A Better World and the Insight program helping other kids find their touch with film and video, and just have a positive impact on another kid’s life like Insight did for me.