Oprah is one of the most respected people in the world. I think her attention to this school will make a monumental difference both for the school as well as the issues they face there.

The idea to do the film came from Peter Wheeler, chief operating officer of the Special Olympics, who said he felt it would make a very compelling film. He and Charlie flew over in May 2003 to investigate. Charlie then called me at 4 a.m. one night to say we had to go back to make that film.

One of the hardest parts was interviewing the students and hearing their heartbreaking stories. We also had trouble initially convincing people we were serious filmmakers at the age of 20.

It brings state, national, and international attention to the job that our school family is doing. I think it will be a huge economic development asset for the community to say that the Alexander City School System was the first in the state to have this designation.

They deserve attention from the world, so they will not have died in vain.

If you are going to have an alternative high school, I think it has to be separate from the high school. Otherwise the high school itself sets the tone and it's really not an alternative school.