BETHLEHEM, Pa. — On Tuesday night, attendees needed no airfare or paperwork to enjoy the food, sounds and spirit of the Isla del Encanto.
Central Elementary STREAM Academy students took them to the island with their new film, "Passport to Puerto Rico.”
A promo of the student-generated film was held at Univest Public Media Center, in partnership with Allentown School District, the Spanish Immersion Learning Center, and the Puertorrican Culture Preservation.
Univest Public Media Center is home to Lehigh Valley Public Media, consisting of PBS39, 91.3 WLVR radio and LehighValleyNews.com.
The full-length of "Passport to Puerto Rico" will debut on PBS39 at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec.13.
'I learned a lot about my culture'
The evening opened with a buffet of Puerto Rican staples — arroz con gandules, pernil and pollo al horno — followed by a red carpet that set a celebratory mood.
Guests also were greeted by two local mascots: PBS39’s TeleBear and Spanish Immersion’s equally cute Benji the Llama.
But the real stars were the STREAM students who stepped into the spotlight.
They are young filmmakers, voice actors, writers and researchers who spent the past school year creating the film alongside Wonder Media, the production company founded by "Rugrats" and "Wild Thornberrys" producer Terry Thoren.
"Passport to Puerto Rico" tells the story of a young boy, Roberto, who, through a time-travel portal, gets lessons on art, music and holidays such as Dia de Los Reyes to understand his Puerto Rican heritage.
Among the student creators — who also were honored Tuesday with trophies and certificates for their movie-making skills — was 11-year-old Issaaz Ramos, who voiced Luis in the film.
“I learned a lot about my culture and what happened,” he said.
He said that during the project, he discovered facts he had never heard before.
Working alongside an animation legend such as Thoren didn’t intimidate him, he said.
It was fun,” he said. "The project has inspired me to do art and more creative stuff."
'Ready for Broadway'
Allentown School District Superintendent Carol Birks said the film captures the assets and rich culture of the Caribbean island.
“I’m really full of joy for this celebration,” she said.
Birks recalled meeting Thoren at a conference and insisting that he come to Allentown.
“He said, ‘I’m busy in California,’” Birks said. “And I said, ‘We need you to showcase the best and brightest here in Allentown.’”
When the famous animator, who also worked on the first 63 episodes of "The Simpsons," visited the school last year, he was impressed with the young talent, Birks said.
“He told us he had never seen such an extravagant red-carpet event,” she said. “Our students — third- to fifth-graders — acted like they were ready for Broadway.”
How the film came to life
To make the film, Central STREAM Academy classrooms were transformed into a professional media studio.
Students wrote the story, edited dialogue, researched Puerto Rican landmarks and studied cultural traditions.
“They took on the lives of the characters,” said STREAM Academy Principal Rebecca Bodnar, who helped oversee the project.
“They made edits to the scripts, voiced the roles and researched places in Puerto Rico they wanted to highlight.”
For many students and their families in attendance at Tuesday night's teaser, the project was deeply personal.
Bodnar said 70% to 80% of the school’s families have Puerto Rican roots.
“I don’t think the kids realize how big a deal Terry Thoren is in the animation world,” she said. “But when they see their work tonight, they’re going to feel like professionals.”
The media studio now is a permanent part of the school where students run their own weekly news show, "Eagle Eye News," where they can be hosts alongside a real classmate or an animated character.
Lessons in Bomba
The celebration closed with a live Bomba demonstration led by Puertorrican Culture Preservation's Robert Vélez.
Joined by students from Allen High School and from his summer program, Vélez explained the Afro-Puerto Rican roots of the dance and drumming tradition.
“These kids — every time I call them, they’re ready to go,” Vélez said while his wife, Flor Vélez, president of the Puertorrican Culture Preservation, demonstrated the traditional Afro-Caribbean dance.
These students can put this on their résumés for the rest of their lives.Dr. Carol Birks
And Robert Vélez described how enslaved Africans on the island used food barrels, goatskin and handmade sticks to create the instruments that shaped Bomba.
The couple's brief history lesson served as a perfect end to the student-made film and cultural spread to premiere on PBS39 next month.
“These students can put this on their résumés for the rest of their lives,” Birks said.
"They starred in an animated film. They brought their culture to the screen. And they did it beautifully.”
