LONG BEACH, MS (WLOX) -
The Long Beach School District wants to tell the world why its schools are among the best in Mississippi. Instead of hiring a production company, the district is turning to its own students for help.
"Tell me what you love about Long Beach and Long Beach School District," a student asked the student body president of Long Beach High School Tuesday.
As the camera rolled, Katie DeMetz replied, "They've just been all about students and they're just a really great school district and I love to go here."
The Long Beach School District has had its share of academic and athletic successes over the years. In fact, three of its schools are National Blue Ribbon schools. Who better to showcase the district's achievements than the students who have lived it?
"I've had a great experience at Long Beach. I've been here my whole life and I just think everyone else should have the opportunity that we get to have," said Hannah Haulsee, Long Beach High senior.
This month, the Broadcast Journalism students at Long Beach High School are creating a video for the school district. They are capturing the course offerings, extra-curricular activities, and personal stories on each of the five campuses. The video allows you to see Long Beach schools through the eyes of the teens.
"We have amazing teachers and amazing academics. We have great scores and so that's also in the video," said Long Beach High School senior Savannah Scafide.
Students hope the video will encourage families to move to Long Beach.
"We're trying to show that Long Beach is great," said Haulsee. "We're trying to show that Long Beach is the best school on the coast and that everyone should send their kid here."
"When they move down to the coast and can't decide if they want to go somewhere else, like look at this video and say: 'Okay, that school is awesome! We have to go there,'" said Scafide.
Another goal is to help with the city's recovery.
"I hope that this video will bring the parents, bring more of the businesses to Long Beach and really help this community to grow," said their teacher Darlene Cormier.
"It's kind of nerve wracking, but it's kind of exciting at the same time to know that I helped maybe change someone's decision to come here," said Scafide.
The video should be finished in a couple of weeks, and it will be posted on the school district's website. Last year, the Long Beach High broadcasting students also created a marketing video for the city of Long Beach.
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