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The teens collaborated to write and record the song and then perform and film the video. The result is a music video with these key lyrics: “Diversity in our city. Let us show you the meaning of unity.”
The video is intended to inspire Port Chester pride, according to school officials.
The 13- to 18-year-olds who participated in the project were members of the Port Chester High School Drama Club or students who attended the Carver Center After School Program. Writer/producer/director Taryn Grimes-Herbert and the Carver Center of Port Chester’s Kelly Gordon-Minott, Shawn McGhee and Joe Kwasniewski served as mentors.
Students were given the opportunity to take on the many roles involved in a video production: brainstorming, writing, composing, filming, choreographing, crew, technical, lighting, publicity/marketing, and finance.
According to Grimes-Herbert, the program “gave the kids actual experience in various fields that will help them prepare for college or be successful in the workplace.”
Joseph Durney, assistant superintendent of the Rye-Port Chester Union Free School District, said that the program was a grant-funded activity that allowed students to experience project-based learning.
“Our students were exposed to real world experiences that required cooperation, leadership, teamwork and that was educationally and vocationally meaningful," Durney said. "Our community can be proud of the process and the product created by this group of talented students and adults."
Students participating in the music video project included: Sam Brown, Alfred Dileo II, Dior Forest, Grace Herbert, Liam Herbert, Taylor Masi, Julia Morlino, Beatriz Rios, Julia Rios, Isabella Rios, Callie Shulta, Eli Taylor-Lemire, and Ava Quatorolo.
Other credits:
Finance Producer: Alfred Dileo
Production Coordinator: Kelly Cordon-Minot (Carver Center)
Consulting Producer: Taryn Grimes (mentor, producer, parent)
Directors: Liam Herbert and Eli Taylor-Lemire
Lyrics: Alfred Dileo and Dior Forest
Music Production: Eli Taylor-Lemire
Audio mastering/producer: Shawn McGhee (Carver Center)
Orchestration: Michael Mastroianni (college student who performs in local theaters)
Video Editor: Eli Taylor-Lemire
Choreography: Taylor Masi
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