Magazine Article Nearing Completion

Magazines done!! Yay :)

I'm so excited to finally say that the magazine article component of my project, "Grief of Those Lost to Shootings," is officially done! It's been a really interesting and rewarding journey to translate the documentary's themes and the interviewees' powerful stories into a print format.

As I mentioned before, this article is designed to complement "When Your Life Turns to Ashes" by offering a deeper dive into the perspectives of Mitch Dworet, Rylan Knox, and Lindsay Carpenter. I wanted to create a piece that not only informs but also resonates emotionally with readers, just like the documentary does.

The overall structure of the article is built around the voices of these three individuals. It begins with an expanded introduction that sets the stage by addressing the broader context of grief in the aftermath of school shootings. I wanted to establish the urgency and relevance of this topic, drawing attention to the sheer number of tragedies that have occurred. As I wrote:

"With the recent release of 'When Your Life Turns to Ashes,' directed by Emma Luckman, a crucial spotlight is cast upon the profound and multifaceted ways in which grief manifests in the aftermath of a school shooting. In a nation grappling with an alarming frequency of such tragedies – with over 1700 school shootings recorded in the past decade according to data from k12ssdb.org – the documentary compels audiences to confront the enduring consequences that extend far beyond the immediate loss of life."

This introduction also emphasizes the specific focus of the documentary on the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and the Dworet family's experience, which serves as a central thread.

Each interviewee then has a dedicated section, allowing their individual narratives to unfold.

Mitch Dworet: In his section, titled "A Father's Unending Love," I focused on capturing the depth of his love for Nicholas and the enduring nature of his grief. I included poignant quotes from his interview, such as:

"He was known as the 'swim daddy,'" to highlight Nicholas's role as a leader.

"He had earned an academic scholarship and committed to joining the University of Indianapolis swim team, where he planned to study finance," to emphasize his son's potential.

I also included the heartbreaking detail about Nicholas's dream of visiting Hawaii, which was cut short, to underscore the lasting impact of his loss.

Rylan Knox: Rylan's section, "Surviving the Unthinkable," provides a firsthand student perspective. I aimed to convey the confusion and fear of that day, as well as the long-term emotional toll. Quotes like:

"It was just a normal day at school...last class of the day, the fire alarm went off and we all kind of started packing up our stuff to go to the fire drill...Everybody's like, a little annoyed, like, come on, we just had a fire drill,"

help to place the reader in her experience.

Lindsay Carpenter: Finally, Lindsay Carpenter's section, "Finding a Path Forward," offers expert insights into grief and recovery. Her words provide a sense of hope and guidance.

Writing this article has been a deeply moving experience. It's reinforced the importance of sharing these personal narratives and the enduring impact of events like the Stoneman Douglas shooting. I hope the article effectively complements the documentary and provides readers with a deeper understanding of the complexities of grief and the resilience of the human spirit.

I'm really proud of how this print component has come together, and I'm excited to share it alongside the rest of the project!

Until next time,

Emma <3