The St. Genevieve High School student body in Panorama City got an "up close and personal" virtual look at one of the four living U.S. presidents and his townspeople during a recent screening of a documentary made by fellow students of their trip to Plains, Georgia, the home of former President Jimmy Carter.
With several "stars" of the documentary from Plains in attendance, including the daughter of the late Billy Carter, younger brother of Jimmy, the student body watched the video which featured shots of President Carter teaching at his Baptist Church and local places of interest such as the home where the president and his wife, Rosalynn, first lived as newlyweds.
"One of the things Dan Horn (St. Genevieve principal) wanted to do [since taking groups of students to Plains over the last three years] was to expose the students to small town USA and show them where this man who was raised on a farm --- who came from humble beginnings --- could have this American dream. And, [show] how these people who lived in this small town formed the 'peanut brigade' and catapulted this man all the way to the White House," said Lynne Muro, campus minister and senior religion teacher.
In remarks before the screening, which took place during a special "night school" session held at the high school a couple of times each year, junior students Ian Hopps and Gianna Butler, shared some of their favorite experiences filming the documentary on a trip to Plains during sophomore year.
Hopps, who was the group's photographer and helped edit the documentary, said the students were constantly impressed with "the warmth of Southern hospitality." He particularly enjoyed the tour of the Carters' "haunted" former residence that was followed by an introduction to a local sport: snipe hunting.
Butler, who was a cinematographer and interviewer on the Plains trip --- the first airplane excursion ever taken without her parents --- recounted the "awesome" experience to The Tidings after the screening. "Right when I got there, I felt at home. I went around to the whole town and asked every single person I saw what they knew about Jimmy Carter and his rise to the presidency," said Butler.
In a question-and-answer period after the screening, Billy Carter's daughter, Kim Fuller, 51, responded to a student's query asking if Jimmy Carter has a sense of humor. While he has a serious side, said Fuller, he also has "a sly humor about him." At her 50th surprise birthday party, she said the former president kept teasing her by insisting that he knew she really was a few years older.
St. Genevieve's student body gave 1961 Plains high school graduate George Williams their rapt attention when he admitted he wished he had applied himself to his studies more "in those early years."
Williams, whose family, like Jimmy Carter's, was in the peanut farming business, said there was enough peanut business in Plains for both families. "We had a good life. …I think when you graduate from here [you'll be prepared] for the future. Thank you for the hospitality you have shown this group from Plains," said Williams.
His wife Jan, Jimmy Carter's daughter Amy's former nanny who had worked for many years as a teacher, commented on the students' friendliness to newcomers and each other.
"When this school came to Plains, we were amazed most of all at your kindness, at the way you presented yourself and your graciousness," said Jan. "Some of the kindest young people we've ever met are from this school [and have] the most wonderful manners. [They] still believe it's ok to say 'Yes, Ma'am' and 'No, Ma'am' and 'Thank you.' That's a southern trait we still believe in today."
She added the Plains visitors had discussed how great it would be if a Plains school would have some of the traits exhibited by St. Genevieve, a "Character Counts!" school promoting the "six pillars" of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. "Some of our young people do not have what you have," she commented.
Betty Godwin, wife of the longtime mayor of Plains and one of the townspeople featured in the documentary, told The Tidings she felt St. Genevieve was "awesome....[and added she was impressed] by the love, caring, trust and faith" exhibited by the students. |