Dream Big

Posted March 15, 2010 by Duane Castillo

Saturday Academy was founded in 1983 with the goal of engaging motivated young people with in-depth learning and problem solving, by connecting them with community instructors and mentors.  Since then, more than 145,000 students throughout Oregon and SW Washington have had the opportunity to participate in the program.  Originally the focus was on technology based interests, but since its founding the organization has grown to include programs that cater to the creativity of youth with classes in theater/acting, history, film/photography, and writing.  The group also sponsors internships with various local technology partners such as OHSU for high school age students through their ASE, (Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering programs). 

Runco was given the opportunity to support Saturday Academy at a recent fundraiser at the Oregon Zoo by donating the use of two Runco CX-OPAL47LCD displays for a slideshow on Saturday Academy’s impact in the lives of youth. Several attendees were impressed by the clarity and quality of the Runco CX-OPAL47 LCDs, and there were numerous windows in the facility which created the perfect environment for Runco’s Optical Path Alignment™ (OPAL) technology. Several members of Saturday Academy were delighted to see their story presented beautifully as attendees signed in for the event.  Saturday Academy teaches and inspires children and teens that they are only limited by themselves. This reminds me of Runco’s long-standing core dedication to technology innovation in the custom home theater market.  As a Runco employee I was proud to be a part of this event and as a parent I look forward to giving my son the opportunity to participate in Saturday Academy.  To steal a phrase from the Saturday Academy,”…teach them to dream BIG!”

Duane is a mainland transplant from Oahu, dedicated Florida Gator and self admitted food addict who enjoys spending time with his family when he isn’t helping dealers and reps on the phones at Runco or keeping the “food addict” weight off by working out at FedEx Ground for 3-4 hours, 5 nights a week.