Utah student uses father's story for winning Reflections film

(Eden Gillespie)


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BOUNTIFUL, Utah — Bountiful fourth-grader, Eric Gillespie, recently received national recognition for his original film inspired and based on his father.

He received Outstanding Interpretation in Film Production at the PTA Reflections program — meaning it stood out most among all film entries received nationwide from all age groups. These age groups included preschool through 12th grade.

His video featured his father, Dave Gillespie, and the inspiring decision he made to overcome unexpected trials. Though he was paralyzed seven years ago in an accident while snowboarding, Dave Gillespie continued his job at the Huntsman Cancer Institute as a research instructor. The Gillespies also have a son with multiple disabilities.

"At first, it was kind of a joke to write about my dad because people are always telling him he's inspiring, and he doesn't really like that," Eric said in a release.

The following is a list of national winners from Utah:
  • Dance Choreography: Nick Fife, Hillcrest High, Award of Merit
  • Film Production: Eric Gillespie, Valley View Elementary, Outstanding Interpretation; Riley Shelton, Parkside Elementary, Award of Merit; Olivia Kelley, Eaglecrest Elementary, Award of Excellence
  • Literature: Brielle Reichert, Evergreen Junior High, Award of Excellence; Yuna Shprecher, Oakridge Elementary, Award of Excellence
  • Music Composition: Brooklyn Zaugg, Legacy Junior High, Award of Merit; Dalyn Erickson, North Ogden Elementary, Award of Merit
  • Photography: Elise Fischbeck, Cyprus High, Award of Excellence; Lauren Taylor, Kaysville Junior High, Award of Excellence; Ethan Christensen, Cherry Hill Elementary, Award of Merit

The theme for the program was "Believe, Dream, Inspire."

"Every time people saw me they said, 'Oh, I just loved your video. It's so inspiring. It made me cry,'" Eric said.

Eric was among the 11 students from Utah to receive recognition. The other 10 were recognized in their age groups. Utah was represented in five of the six following categories in the contest: dance, choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.

"Our students are amazing. We really did well this year," Utah PTA president Liz Zentner said.

"I just wanted to make a video and see if it would work," Eric told KSL.com. He used a technique he's familiar with called stop motion. He's made three videos with Lego blocks prior to this video.

Eric had help from his dad when it came to formulating a plan for the project.

"It was my dad's idea. He was just always dreaming of running, so he just wanted to make that stop motion, and I wanted to do stop motion. It was just me and my mom moving his legs and arms and the sky."

When asked how he felt after finding out he'd received first place, Eric said, "Really surprised. I just expected I wouldn't make it that far since this was my first Reflections."

The Reflections program requires that judges give two overall awards, the Outstanding Interpretation and Special Artist awards. The Special Artist is given to a student with special needs. In addition, the Award of Excellence is given to three students, and the Award of Merit is given to five students in each age group. The age groups are: preschool through second grade, grades three through five, six through eight and nine through 12. Nearly 300,000 entries were received from throughout the nation.

To see the award-winning creations, see the national PTA web page in August. The works will be shown at the annual Reflections Art Exhibition in Washington D.C. in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education beginning in January.

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