St. George, UT, July 22, 2015 — In conjunction with the 100-year anniversary of the Washington County School District, a variety of activities at each school location throughout the district are being planned during the coming 2015-2016 school year. Bob Sonju, Executive Director K-12 Student Learning for Washington County School District announced the kick off event will be the premier showing of the documentary film "On Dreams of Dixie", celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the Washington County School District. Sonju stated, “We are committed to helping viewers understand that education is vitally important. As demonstrated in this heartfelt film, education weaves lives together, prepares us for life and demonstrates that through school, work and play, communities grow and prosper.”
The Washington County School District Foundation assisted in funding the documentary film, "On Dreams of Dixie", which was recently accepted to DOCUTAH, a Southern Utah International Film Festival presented by Dixie State University. According to DOCUTAH executives, "On Dreams of Dixie" will be one of the featured films at this year’s festival.
Pam Graf, Foundation Director for Washington County School District said, “From a once barren desert to a flourishing, vibrant community, southern Utah demonstrates the value that comes from keeping education a top community priority. We invite you to help us continue the legacy of education in southern Utah by purchasing your personal copies of this film. You may also offer a donation to the Washington County School District Foundation, which is dedicated to helping our students and teachers.”
Sonju stated, “We realize that while this film features a handful of personal stories, there are many not told here. We all remember a favorite teacher or experience and we would love to hear yours.”
To provide a personal remembrance of your days in the Washington County School District visit our stories page and post at ondreamsofdixie.com/stories. You can also share them on social media using the hashtags #WCSD100 and #dixiedreamsmovie.
The public is invited to attend the World Premier of "On Dreams of Dixie" to be held on August 1, 2015, at Desert Hills High School, located at 828 East Desert Hills Drive, St. George, Utah. The general public showing of the premier will begin at 8:45pm and be on a first come, first serve basis. Theater seating is limited to 900 occupants. If the first showing is sold out a second public screening will be held immediately after.
To purchase DVD copies of "On Dreams of Dixie" go to ondreamsofdixie.com and click on the green Support WCSD Foundation button. A single copy of the documentary is $20, and all proceeds benefit Washington County School District Foundation. DVD's will also be available for purchase at the Premier and during DOCUTAH.
In association with its 100 Year Celebration, the Washington County School District launched a fresh looking website on July 14, to help parents, students and community members easily navigate and find information regarding their schools and district activities. It is located at www.washk12.org. The site was designed and developed by Cody Plumhof, Web Master and Developer, Design Specialist for Washington County School District. Cody was also the executive director for the documentary.
Cody said of the experience, “Working on this film has been a great opportunity to tell the history of WCSD through the eyes of those who lived it. Each story in the film is only a glimpse of the past 100 years, and there is so much more that could be said if time permitted. We are truly thankful for those who dedicate their lives to educating the children of Washington County - from the support staff to the teachers and administrators - and I believe they truly help our students work towards their dreams and futures.”
About "On Dreams of Dixie," a Documentary Film
It was 1861 when tattered pioneers began arriving in southern Utah's red, barren desert. Amid sacrifice and loss, many had traveled across wide oceans and unforgiving plains for a place they could call their own.
Committed to education, school classes were first held in the back of covered wagons and in the areas first church houses. In 1915, the state of Utah issued an order for the area's scattered schools to join together as one and Washington County School District was formed with 1,833 registered students.
Through heartfelt interviews and stories found in the archives of county history, 'On Dreams of Dixie' gives viewers a multi-dimensional experience and character-driven look at what it was like attending school in southern Utah's early settlement communities.
More than 28,000 students are now enrolled in Washington County schools with students learning skills that prepare them for life. Looking back over the shoulder of history, it is important to acknowledge that life in southern Utah started out at a much slower pace, when times were simple. Written and produced by Melynda Thorpe, narrated by Wilford Brimley, with an original score by Keith R Owen, "On Dreams of Dixie" provides a powerful viewer experience.
If you would like to see behind the scene experiences, photos and documents used in the making of this documentary go to facebook.com/ondreamsofdixie.
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