Ryan Gloyer Middle School students help craft new animated film

For the past nine months, four Ryan Gloyer Middle School (RGMS) eighth graders, Kimani Whetstone, AJ Hart, Autumn Peterson and Ashawn Peterson, had the opportunity to collaborate closely with Wonder Media, a Los Angeles-area animation studio, to create an animated film titled Finding Alice in Wonderland. Wonder Media creates impactful educational content focused on important topics such as social-emotional learning, inclusion and life skills.

Additionally, students had the privilege of working with Terry Thoren, a highly respected animation executive and former CEO of Klasky Csupo, the studio behind well-known children’s programs including Rugrats, Rocket Power and The Wild Thornberrys.

“Terry and his team provided our students with an unforgettable real-world learning experience,” said RGMS Acting Assistant Principal Gabe Miller. “Our students took full ownership of the creative process by writing the script, designing backgrounds for each scene and completing professional voice-over recordings in the RGMS recording studio, all of which were featured in our designated scene in the film.”

Seneca Valley students worked alongside students from nine other school districts throughout the project. Through this experience, they developed and strengthened essential skills in creative thinking, written and verbal communication, collaboration, problem solving, technology integration, adaptability and perseverance. Additionally, students gained firsthand experience in project development through revision, critical thinking and learning through trial and error. Most importantly, they worked together to create a meaningful film designed to inspire children and teach positive life lessons that can stay with them long after viewing.

On May 22, the students made a debut of their animation to a crowd of parents and other supporters. The Seneca Valley student’s involvement with the project was sponsored by The Grable Foundation.

The entire film can be viewed using this LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztyrB1aOzyk. The work completed by Seneca Valley students Kimani Whetstone, AJ Hart, Autumn Peterson and Ashawn Peterson begins at the 29:31 mark.