Contributed FILM PREMIERE – Many attending the first public screening of a documentary about the Buckeye Local School District heard from Stephen Cochran and other Buckeye Local Junior High School students involved with the project.

BRILLIANT — After months of work, students in the gifted program at Buckeye Local Junior High School shared the results of their efforts Monday during a public screening of a documentary tracing the history and evolution of the Buckeye Local School District.

The 15-minute film, titled “Evolution of Panther Pride,” premiered May 4 at the Wells Township Community Center before a large audience of parents, community members and school officials.

Under the direction of Rikki Santer, a visiting artist with the Ohio Arts Council, and Stephanie Crust, gifted enrichment specialist at the school, students spent months researching, filming and editing the documentary.

Santer, a former journalist and teacher specializing in film studies, instructed students in filmmaking techniques and the use of documentaries to explore real-life subjects.

Raelyn Glover, one of the student presenters, said Superintendent Coy Sudvary, Buckeye Local High School Principal Luke Parsons and Wells Township Trustee Rodney Roe suggested possible topics for the film.

“Eventually we decided on this question to guide our work: What is the history of Buckeye Local Schools and where are we now?” Glover said.

Sutton Monroe said the students wanted to highlight the district’s impact on the community.

“We wanted to tell this specific story because Buckeye Local Schools have had such an impact on the people around our community,” Monroe said. “During the filming of this documentary, we had the opportunity to meet wonderful people, gather information and work together as a team.”

Other students involved in the project included Grace Mori, Maisie Wilson, Ella Lennox, Ellie Ricer, Jack Martin, Camryn Dutton, Wyatt Eastham, Isabelle Glauser, Brooklyn Burress, Sophia Vitek, Stephen Cochran, Ayden Firm, Robert Glauser, Kyle Beranek, Samantha Foldi and Camden Bell.

Students interviewed numerous current and former educators and community members, including Kevin Dennis, who spent more than 30 years in the district as a teacher and guidance counselor.

The documentary includes a painting of a one-room schoolhouse created by Dennis’ aunt, Shirley Stewart. Dennis noted his mother, Norma, attended the school, which was located near the junction of Turkey Point and Warren Ridge roads near the Hopewell Grange.

Dennis, a 1970 graduate of Warren Consolidated High School, also discussed the consolidation of several area high schools into Buckeye North, South and West high schools before the creation of the current Buckeye Local High School in 1990.

The film highlighted the many mascots used by former schools, including the Blue Devils, Rebels and Night Riders, before students selected the panther mascot through a vote.

Students also examined how education has changed over the years, from chalkboards and handwritten notes to internet-connected smartboards and digital learning tools.

The documentary featured interviews with teachers and students about current district programs, including the College Credit Plus program, hospitality and tourism courses, agricultural education and interactive media classes.

History teacher Jerad Call discussed opportunities for students to complete college-level coursework through the College Credit Plus program.

Hospitality and tourism instructor Luke Fabry highlighted culinary training opportunities, while agriculture instructor Cameron Best explained how students use the high school greenhouse and hydroponics lab to grow herbs, fruits and vegetables.

Interactive media teacher Dan Davis discussed the computer-related skills students are learning and also assisted students with editing hours of footage into the final documentary.

Crust said students handled many aspects of the production process, including writing, filming, editing and planning the public screening.

“It was a long process, but they did a wonderful job. I’m very proud of them,” Crust said.

Stephen Cochran, who edited the film with classmate Ayden Firm, said he appreciated the audience’s positive response.

“People seemed really positive about it,” Cochran said. “Now I have a weight off my shoulder.”

Parents attending the screening also praised the students’ work.

“Overall I thought it was great,” Elijah Foldi Sr. said. “I learned a little bit from it. And it was cool seeing all of the different mascots.”

Chris Bell agreed.

“I didn’t know half of that,” Bell said. “It was definitely informational.”

Students also recognized numerous individuals and organizations that assisted with the project, including faculty members, local officials, the Jefferson County Historical Society and the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County local history and genealogy department.

(Photo caption: Community members attended the premiere screening of “Evolution of Panther Pride,” a documentary about the Buckeye Local School District produced by students in the gifted program at Buckeye Local Junior High School.)

(Photo caption: Buckeye Local Junior High School students involved in the documentary project speak during the film’s public premiere at the Wells Township Community Center.)