Marian Anderson

As Portland's "M" school conducted the process of selecting a name for their institution, students and faculty were invited to review various proposals, and the name of contralto Marian Anderson was found to be a favorite among both groups. Anderson, a local historical figure, is seen to embody the core values of the "M" school – demonstration, performance, and advocacy – by her relentless, personal struggle against segregation.

Mr. Hill and Ms. Maxam's students used the digital storytelling project to construct their own biographies of Anderson within the historical context of the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting themes in her life that could be tied to the goals of the "M" school. These emblematic videos are designed to be presented within the school to encourage students to identify with the core values, and will also be a useful tool for presenting the "M" school to the Portland community at large.

To create their digital stories, students first researched Anderson's life and selected appropriate biographical material for incorporation into scripts. After editing and refining their narratives, students sourced relevant digital imagery to illustrate specific details and perspectives of both Anderson's life and student life within the school community. Finally, they created titles, worked with transitions, chose music to set the appropriate tone, and experimented with special effects to complete their videos.