JVS student Emerald Harrington (NR) works with Ken Glanc, from the Elyria Comic Book Initiative.

August 9, 2010 -- Lorain County JVS Web & Graphic Design students are using their skills to help middle school students turn pencil creations into full-color comic books.

The Elyria Comic Book Initiative is a non-profit organization that works with students teaching a variety of skills including personal responsibility, creativity and literacy through the creation of comic books.

Students from Eastern Heights Middle School in Elyria recently completed comic books illustrated, free hand, in colored pencil. Ken Glanc, who spearheads the initiative, brought the students' creations to the JVS Web & Graphic Design (WGD) students to enhance and "publish."

"WGD students scan the drawings and enhance the images using a graphic design software program to make them colorful," stated Instructor Tina Krosse. "Students in the Accounting & Financial Services Program print and assemble the books and each middle school student receives their own digitally enhanced comic book."