Watertown Children

Hello, my name is Jasmin and I am a Watertown resident, a mom and photojournalism graduate student at Boston University.

As my final project, I was originally going to do a multimedia piece about my family's bar in Chicago... however, after last week's events, my plans changed (as they so often do in graduate school). So I am making a multimedia video about the events of last week, through the eyes of our kids... instead of the views of adults and media. A look at the way they see things, unadulterated and uncut, just their simple views/thoughts/feelings and how the way our town changed, changed them a bit.

I have already interviewed about 10 kids and several more parents about upcoming interviews for the multimedia project I am trying to put together for the kids in town (and my class).

I believe making a video for our kids and having it come from the perspective of our children, would show them that they were not alone and that it is okay to talk to us and one another about what they felt.

To show them that it isn't (and wasn't) weak to cry or be scared, that it wasn't wrong to have thoughts or feelings about what happened to them and their town. I also think that it could open other people's eyes as to what it was truly like in Watertown this past week, for our kids.

This wasn't just a "sensational" news story... this was the last day of their break, in the town that most of them grew up in. Some of them were already out of town on vacation and were petrified that they couldn't be home with their friends/family.

This idea came to me when I spoke to my own daughter about how she was feeling. She was frustrated that the only faces on television didn't reflect hers or her thoughts and feelings. These kids experienced this very differently from how adults did. I couldn't believe the depth and insight that Serenity (my daughter), had regarding the events and how she felt about and understood them.

I think their opinions would floor most people.

I am going to be filming at my apartment on Edenfield. I have a backdrop and lighting (I feel that this allows the kids some privacy (by not showing their homes), if you cannot come by this evening, I would love to find another time between now and Sunday that would perhaps work better for you.

In case it makes you feel more comfortable, I can provide you with my list of interview questions (something I never do ahead of time, because I find that people sound coached and unnatural when they know what's coming). However, due to the sensitive nature of this piece, I think an exception is warranted. So please feel free to contact me for that if you ARE interested.

Lastly, if there are any issues preventing you from participating (or letting your children do so), could you fill me in on what those might be, so that perhaps I could alleviate those concerns or perhaps change part of my process?

Thank you so much for any and all help in this endeavor in advance and if you know anyone else that would like to participate, please let me know as soon as possible (or have them contact me directly).

(I will be sending copies of my video to all of the parents before I call this "complete" for class, to have your approval on it.)

[Here is the note that one of the Lowell parents sent out, in case any of the Hosmer or Cunniff parents would like to use it as a template.

"Hi everyone,

Let me introduce, Jasmin, who has a request. Jasmin is in a graduate program at Boston University for photojournalism.

Her final project/piece is due shortly. While speaking with her daughter (Serenity) about the incidents over the past week, Jasmin discovered that no one has asked or spoken with children about their perspective of the events.  So she is looking for children who are friends or students from Watertown, that she could interview for five minutes.  It is not a deep discussion of these events - but a look/perspective of what our children think.

I just spoke with Jasmin, as she asked if it was possible to interview [our daughter] as part of her project. The interview would be at their home, as that is where Jasmin has her equipment set up.

This is not a city or school (Watertown School Department) sanctioned project. There was interest at the school, but due to policies and procedures, all the formalities to do this at the school would not be completed before Jasmin's project is due. So, she is reaching out to parents of Serenity's friends and classmates (and kids in the neighborhood).

[My husband and I] are okay with [our daughter] being interviewed. (They came over Wednesday night.)

If you are interested, Jasmin has asked that you come by their home [contact me for the address].

If you have questions, you can reach Jasmin at 773-544-5442 (mobile) and/or email: jpelleg1@bu.edu "]

I have tried before to communicate with the town through the patch and have not received any responses, but I thought I would give it a shot this one last time.

Thank you,

Jasmin Bleu Pellegrino