The Stillwater Native American Parent Advisory Committee and Stillwater Area High School’s Native American Student Alliance works collaboratively with representatives of the Stillwater Area School District toward better outcomes for all self-identified American Indian students. Provision of an Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee in each Minnesota school district is required by Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 124D.78.

The goals of the groups include identify American Indian student achievement and areas of need, connect American Indian families within the district, and network with and research other American Indian Education programs in the state, develop ongoing programs for American Indian students to learn and practice culturally significant traditions and create mentorships within the Native community, and foster positive self identity in American Indian students and enhance knowledge of culture in broader school communities.

Mediamazing was brought on board to create two short documentary highlighting the impact the groups are having in the Stillwater community. The videos were played at the Stillwater School Board Meeting on February 17th, and will be used to help promote the groups throughout the stae.

Century College has partnered together with Stillwater Area High School to offer a concurrent enrollment course called Orientation to Education. The course introduces potential educators into classrooms to learn new teaching strategies. Several Century students spent 10 field hours in Stillwater during their “Summer Success” program.

Mediamazing followed some of these students in the classroom, and spoke with several Stillwater student leaders and teachers about the program to create a video sharing the positive experience.

Zach Sobiech was a young singer/songwriter from Lakeland, Minnesota, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 14. Before he passed away, he wrote a goodbye song to his family entitled “Clouds.” The song ended up going viral and grabbed national attention.

Travis had the privilege of recording one of Zach’s last concert’s in 2013. Seven years later, on the eve of the release of the Disney film based on Zach’s life, “Clouds,” Travis was brought on board to film interviews with Zach’s family & friends about his story and the new film. After filming, Travis spoke with the producers and shared his footage from the 2013 concert. Footage from both shoots were used for several mini-documentaries featured on Disney’s YouTube channel.