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SFUSD Seniors Create Stop-Motion Animated Short To Honor Class of 2020 Link to this section
San Francisco (May 28, 2020) - SFUSD graduating seniors Julian Jordan and Kyle Trefny of Ruth Asawa School of the Arts have produced an animated commencement address in honor of the class of 2020. The stop-motion short film, titled “Dear Class of 2020” speaks to the challenges the Class of 2020 has faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and issues a call to action to create a safer, kinder and more sustainable future.
“Dear Class of 2020” also highlights many issues that the Class of 2020 has faced throughout their school careers including violence, natural disasters and climate change. The film adds a positive message that because of these challenges, the Class of 2020 has learned how to be resilient and get involved in actively creating a better world.
“We are proud of our students for finding ways even in the most challenging of circumstances to lift each other up,” said SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews. “We strive to help all of our students to graduate with the ability to approach times like these with creative solutions and ability to express themselves. This film is an amazing example of what our students can do.”
Using skills they have developed in visual and multimedia classes at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, Jordan and Trefny produced “Dear Class of 2020” in a makeshift home studio while sheltering in place. All of the animated collages, narration, sound design and editing are original work.
“Dear Class of 2020” can be viewed on YouTube, Instagram TV and Vimeo.
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