In 2009 Florala High School seniors began documenting their community. Every senior that year, and every year following, interviewed elders. The process involves a community elder answering questions, telling stories, and giving advice to a senior student conducting the interview and videotaping the process. The video is transferred to a DVD and housed on the Florala High School campus. We are currently researching ideas of sharing the videos with those interested in watching.
Graduating seniors and people attending the PACERS Annual Conference have enjoyed watching and listening to the history and wisdom of our community elders. Unfortuately, several elders have since passed, but we were happy to share copies of the interviews and preserve the voices of those valued members of our community.
Every year the comments from the students are remarkably similar. They note that education was important, farming was hard, money was tight, a man’s word was his bond, and family life revolved around work, church, and family. We have learned what businesses have come and gone in Florala, and what the many faces of our most popular celebration, the Masonic June 24th Celebration, has looked like.
The project is ongoing and we welcome input and ideas from the community.
Project Coordinator: Brandi Evans
Community Chapter Volunteers: Patricia Peoples and Gary & Lynne Jones
View a collection of this year’s interviews here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iHejHji9xQ
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