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By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
The Military History class at Highlands School received a standing ovation after unveiling a project they’ve been working on for several months that focused on the stories of local veterans through in-person interviews conducted by the students.
The group edited clips from those interviews together into a 45 min. documentary called Red. White. Blue. and You, and was shown to students, veterans, and family members at Highlands School on Dec. 13.
Students from the Military History class at Highlands School discuss their project at it’s unveiling on Dec. 13.
Under the guidance of History Teacher Caleb Brown, students involved in the project include Anderson Woods, Olivia Corbin, Taylor Hays, Jake Smith and Alex Barranco.
“I think they truly did an excellent job,” said Brown. “I’m a believer in giving them a task and setting them on their way. If they had a question, I would answer it, but they did this all on their own. From the interviews, lighting, sound, video editing, graphics, writing, ect. These five high school kids made a profound documentary.”
Veterans involved in the project received a standing ovation from students and family upon entering the gym.
MC Schools Superintendent Josh Lynch attended to the project’s unveiling and said Brown’s Military History class did a phenomenal job documenting historical accounts of major conflicts, including the First World War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism.
“The project showcases interviews with veterans who served in these wars, offering a unique perspective on their sacrifices and experiences,” he said. “This project serves as both a tribute to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to our country and an invaluable opportunity for students to connect with local veterans and learn their stories firsthand.”
Students in the crowd were given American flags to wave to greet participating veterans.
Lynch said by hearing these accounts, young people gain a deeper understanding of the costs of war, fostering respect, empathy, and appreciation for the resilience and bravery of those who served.
“These stories not only inspire gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy but also promote a sense of civic responsibility and teach valuable life lessons on overcoming adversity. Through this project, students connected with veterans’ experiences, gained insight into the complexities of war, and learned the importance of sacrifice and peace,” said Lynch.
Over the course of the assignment, students interviewed 14 local veterans on camera and asked them questions about their experiences during the time of their service. Wars and conflicts covered a span from World War I to the global war on terror.
Woods said the project had its challenges, but he’s happy with the final result.
Pictured from left are History Teacher Caleb Brown, Olivia Corbin, Taylor Hays, Jake Smith, Alex Barranco, Anderson Woods and MC Superintendent Josh Lynch.
“Editing the whole project together took the longest time,” said Woods. “The interviews also took time, but they were fun because you get to hear their stories. We were talking in the back during the documentary about things we saw and little changes we could make. We were all pretty nervous, but it turned out great I think.”
Hays said she was careful throughout her interviews given the sensitive subject matter and didn’t want to force the interviewees to relive the topics under discussion.
“I was pretty nervous during the interviews, I didn’t want to say something wrong and bring up any more trauma than I had to. During each interview, I always told them we can stop at any time.”
Smith said he feels its important for students to learn about past conflicts and what our service men and women faced at the time.
“Hearing their stories gives us a better perspective on past wars,” said Smith. “You get their point of view and see how they dealt with the challenges they faced.”
Corbin interviewed her family member David Wyatt, who served in Operation Desert Storm. She said the interviews were the best part of this project.
“It was kind of crazy, he doesn’t talk about it, ever,” said Corbin. “It was cool to hear all the veterans’ stories and what they went through.”
Barranco said he enjoyed the teamwork he shared with the other students throughout the project.
“I enjoyed the five of us working together the most,” said Barranco. “We’re an odd combo of people, but we stick through it. Plus, it was a fun experience hearing from the veterans.”
US Marine Corps ret. Captain Rick Trevathan served in Vietnam and shared his story for the documentary. After watching the final product, he said the students did an excellent job in both preparation and covering relevant topics.
“I think it’s very important that the younger generation is exposed to the experiences of veterans for several reasons,” said Trevathan. “As I mentioned, some of our nation’s military involvement has proven historically to be unwise and hopefully the younger generation will not repeat our mistakes. I also think it’s important to expose young people to the lasting benefits of military service. Often military experience can open doors to a brighter future. Military service creates a mindset of service above self.”
After the documentary was unveiled, Trevathan said it felt good to tell his story.
“Personally, I benefited from my being asked to resurrect my memories and emotions from a very impactful time in my life,” he said. “As I said in the opening, it was the best of times. It was the worst of times. My Marines will always be in my heart. They suffered through incredibly difficult times but always moved on with smiles on their faces. It created indelible memories that never fade.”
Ed McCloskey served in the US Marine Corps and said it was an honor being asked to participate in the project.
“I was honored that these students indicated interest in veterans and the subject of our experience,” said McCloskey. “Knowing history guides their knowledge going forward, especially America’s wars and those who fought them. Even though knowing these questions were fed to them they seemed very interested in our responses. Sorry that more of the interviews were edited as I would have wanted to hear more. Caleb should be applauded for his guidance to these young folks and your interest and coverage is always appreciated.”
The public will have an opportunity to view the documentary on Jan. 30 at the Highlands Community Building.
Pictured at the top of the article are students, staff, and the 14 veterans involved in the Military History class’ project.