Teacher says LA Film Fest's educational screening of JUMP! was "one of the best field trip experiences"

In July, 2007, she writes:

Thank you so much for inviting us to the screening of JUMP! It was one of the best field trip experiences I've ever had. Before the trip my history students were asking me if the film was good, would it be another documentary (I show them only documentaries in class and they're understandably dubious), would it be fun, etc., etc....... typical teen grousing......... I told them that they needed to stop whining and to approach it with an open mind!

When the film started I was unsure how they would relate to kids who were, at least superficially, unlike themselves. In my 30 years of experience with inner-city kids, their cultural scope can be so limiting that they often can only appreciate that which they already know.

Kudos to the film makers for showing how these athletes were really just typical kids with hopes and dreams and frustrations. The whole audience really connected. And, what really gains respect for teens is the raw talent, which all of the competitors had. This seemed to cross all barriers.

We did not expect anything beyond the screening and the lunch but the rest of the event was brilliant: the demo, the audience participation, photo ops and, of course, the jump ropes. All of these really made the day magical. Even my cynical seniors were gushing accolades afterwards. What a great way to end the school year! All of my students had a magnificent experience and have vowed to start a jumping league in Mexico!

Again, thank you so much for including us. Congrats to you and your staff on a job well done!

Sincerely,

Serena Bell Refoua
Belmont High School
American History, Humanities and Film Studies