San Diego’s Patrick Henry High School will mark the 55^th anniversary of its birth this fall with the release of Give Me Liberty: The Early Years of Patrick Henry High.

The one-hour film will have its world premiere on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. on the school’s campus, 6702 Wandermere Drive. The event will be held in the Patrick Henry Arts, Media and Entertainment Center (PHAME).

It is produced and directed by seven-time Emmy Award-winner David Plaut, a member of Patrick Henry’s Class of 1971.

Give Me Liberty chronicles the first years of Patrick Henry’s existence (1968-73), when it was one of only seven institutions in the nation to participate in the Model Schools Program.

Patrick Henry’s innovative modular scheduling became a laboratory of experimental education, providing students with unprecedented freedom to make choices that shaped their academic goals. An open campus, flexible elective studies, enhanced tutoring and cutting-edge teaching approaches in traditional core courses were all part of an initiative that encouraged students to take more responsibility and think independently.

The story of Give Me Liberty is told through interviews with 52 former students and faculty who were “present at the creation.” Their eyewitness accounts are paired with archival photos, campus memorabilia, news accounts and never-before-seen film footage. Together they weave a vivid narrative that connects school origin stories to the turbulent socio-political issues of the late 1960s and early 70s.

Highlights of the film include: •A portrait of the school’s first principal – the man behind Patrick Henry’s cutting-edge educational system; •Stories of young, hand-picked teachers who formed the most innovative faculty in the city school system; •How national-brand pet food products were crucial to Patrick Henry’s development; •The surprising individual who wrote Patrick Henry’s alma mater lyrics and picked the school colors; •The unexpected mishap during the school’s first theatrical production; •The bizarre gadget play that earned Patrick Henry its first varsity football victory – and rare footage of the Patriots’ first CIF basketball championship; •Profiles of students from the era who went on to distinguished careers in law, medicine, sports, technology, performance arts and philanthropy.

Give Me Liberty is an immersive production, utilizing the talents of Patrick Henry students as location crew, camera/sound operators and editors.

The film’s original soundtrack was composed and performed by Patrick Henry music students. Patrick Henry alumni were instrumental in gathering archival materials, conducting interviews and providing many services essential to the filmmaking experience.

Check out a preview at: youtube.com/@givemelibertydoc•

Tickets: tix.com/ticket-sales/phhs/7097.

For further information: David Plaut at [email protected].