9W - A Tribute to the End of High School

The film follows Andy through a single, mundane day as she navigates the bittersweet goodbyes and unexpected revelations that mark end of high school. From the dead ladybugs on the windowsill to the vibrant bonfire sparks, each moment is laden with nostalgia and a dawning awareness of what she's leaving behind.

Director's Statement:
The inspiration for the story came to my mind one morning, when I was lying in the bed, listening to the traffic noise from 9W highway. Same as Andy, I had ambivalent feelings at the end of high school. One part of me is ready to move on and embark on the next chapter in life, while the other part of me loves the mountain dearly that it will forever stay with the dead ladybugs on the windowsill and the vibrant bonfire up the hill.

This film marks the end of my high school journey in Cornwall-on-Hudson where I learned to embrace my identity and transitioned to a life with stories to be written.

I am incredibly grateful for everything that happened to me at SKS that fostered my creative and fearless mind. I am also thankful for my friends and teachers who had supported me along the way. Thank you Storm King for this unforgettable adventure.

The song at the end was written and composed, based on "Just Fine" - Justin Lee, by Ke Xu. Special thanks to Paul Connors and Dave Kain, music instructors at SKS.

"Indoors down, scattered clouds
Smell of spring I'm sad.
Open road you're sitting close
Let's go somewhere far away
Cuz all I have is you, and I'll be fine.

I will be on the road and never look back,
When the sun goes up like it never ends.
We, sit around the fire singing this song,
When the sun goes down we'll have to split
When the sun goes down we'll have to split."

To my family, this is the world I see on your shoulders.