Adrian, MI – When Lydia Boley enrolled in the Digital Media Production program at the LISD TECH Center as a sophomore, she had a love for photography and an interest in exploring her creative side. Three years later, she's a graduate of the program with a nationally recognized student film headed to New York City.

Boley, a 2026 graduate from Sand Creek, recently learned that her film, Timeline, had advanced to the national level of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Student Production Awards. The film previously earned a regional award and is now among student productions being recognized from across the country.

"When I received the news that my work was being recognized at the national level, I was struck by feelings of shock and excitement all at once," Boley said.

The news came from her former Digital Media Production instructor, Hunter Nino, who worked with Boley throughout her three years in the program.

For Boley, an interest in the arts started at a young age. She enjoyed drawing and painting before eventually finding her way into photography. What began as spontaneous photo sessions with friends and family grew into an interest in digital media, and by the time she entered the LISD TECH Center in 2023, she was ready to explore what else she could do.

"Throughout this program, I experienced not only a sharpening of skills for photography, but I also developed a deep passion for filmmaking," she said.

Nino remembers Lydia as a student who made the most of her time in the program. She regularly volunteered for projects, connected with professionals in the industry, and looked for opportunities to learn beyond what was required in the classroom.

She was also often the first to arrive and the last to leave.

"I often tell students that what they put into this program is what they get out of it," Nino said. "Lydia consistently put an incredible amount into the program, sometimes even more than she knew what to do with."

That commitment carried over into the production of Timeline, a film about grief, loss, and finding a way forward.

The story follows Penelope, a young woman dealing with the death of her mother. While the circumstances are specific to the character, Boley wanted to tell a story that people could connect with through their own experiences.

"Certain trials seem impossible to overcome, yet, as Timeline displays, the trial is not the end, and there is always a reason to hope and a way to move forward," Boley explained.

Creating the film came with challenges, particularly during the writing process. Boley and her crew worked to make the emotions in the story feel genuine while also figuring out how to show the passage of time throughout the film.

Nino said one of the things that impressed him most was how Lydia handled those challenges.

As an advisor, he could offer guidance, but students were responsible for making decisions and managing their own productions. He remembers watching Lydia identify problems, work with her crew, and figure out solutions before he ever needed to step in.

"What makes Timeline stand out to me is Lydia's attention to detail and her ability to approach production with a high level of preparation, organization, and problem-solving," Nino said.

The work paid off. After earning regional recognition, Timeline advanced to the national Student Production Awards, where entries from NATAS regions across the country are evaluated by television industry professionals.

For Nino, seeing Lydia's work reach this level is especially rewarding because he knows how much effort went into it.

"I have always wanted my students to become better than I ever was," he said. "Seeing Lydia reach this level of recognition is a reminder of why that goal matters."

Lydia credits much of her growth to the opportunities she had at the LISD TECH Center. Through the Digital Media Production program, she gained experience with professional equipment, explored certifications and internships, and learned from people working in the industry.

But she says the support she received along the way made just as much of a difference.

"The majority of my filmmaking growth resulted from the support I received from my peers and the encouragement given by my teachers," she said.

Nino sees Lydia's experience as a good example of what students can accomplish when they take advantage of those opportunities.

"As instructors, we can provide the opportunities, guidance, and support, but students have to be willing to take those opportunities and make something of them," he said. "Lydia did exactly that."

Today, Boley is a freshman attending Cedarville University online, working toward a bachelor's degree in Broadcasting, Digital Media and Journalism. She plans to continue developing her filmmaking skills as she works toward a career in the field.

And when she thinks about the shy sophomore who first entered the Digital Media Production classroom, she's surprised by just how much has changed.

"Looking back at the shy sophomore I was when I first entered my program, I couldn't begin to imagine then how far I would have come today," she said.

For other students who might have an interest in filmmaking but aren't sure where to begin, Lydia hopes they'll give themselves the chance to try.

"I'd encourage any and all students to never let their apprehension of the unknown keep them from incredible opportunities."

For a student who started out simply enjoying photography, having a film reach the national stage is quite a way to begin a career. And for the instructor who watched her grow over three years, it's an accomplishment worth celebrating.