REBUILD MOUNTAIN EMPIRE HIGH
The unbelievable story of a rural school in crisis.
A student documentary by Mannix Gonzalez
Mountain Empire High School sits in a school district that is geographically larger than any other in California. Underfunded, unappreciated, and unheard of, this is a school that is falling apart along with its students’ physical, mental, and behavioral health.
Watch their story and be a part of the solution.
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REBUILD MOUNTAIN EMPIRE HS
Mannix Gonzales
Director / Writer
Mannix grew up in Campo, CA, attending Campo Elementary School, Mt. Empire Junior High School and Mt. Empire High School, all within the Mt. Empire Unified School District. The documentary was his Senior Project. He earned an A.
Samuel Borden
Creative Director / Editor
Samuel is the Digital Media Specialist at Institute for Public Strategies in San Diego. With a deep passion for art and design, Sam excels in transforming people’s ideas into compelling visual stories. Sam earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, dual majoring in Studio Arts and Communication Design. Specializing in Digital Media and Interactive Design, Sam brings creativity and innovation to every project, aiming to make a meaningful impact through visual communication.
Kyra Merryman
Executive Producer
Kyra was the Youth/Community Organizer for the East and South Regions of San Diego County before they left IPS in July 2024 after the completion of the film. Kyra earned a Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Health and Sociocultural Anthropology at the University of California, San Diego. The Bay Area California native was awarded the UCSD William F. Rogers Jr. Scholarship.
Seraphina Eberhardt
IPS East County Program Manager
Seraphina earned a Bachelor’s in Public Health from San Diego State University. The East County native joined IPS in 2021 as a Prevention Specialist before her promotion to Program Manager in 2024. She serves as Chair of Live Well East Region Thriving and Inclusive Communities committee, facilitator of the Lakeside Collaborative, has provided technical assistance to the Lakeside Amity Group, organized community assessments, and works with law enforcement around drugs, alcohol, and other negative community conditions.
David Shorey
San Diego County Regional Director
David earned a BA in Government from California State University, Sacramento, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of San Diego, a Certificate in Human Rights Consultancy from the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, and is credentialed as a Certified Nonprofit Professional by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. He serves on the Architectural Review Board of the Julian Historic District, is a member of the LGBTQ Advisory Council for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, and chairs the Outreach and Education Committee of the San Diego Anti-Hate Coalition.
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE DOCUMENTARY MEDIA KIT
