"Undroppable" producer returns to Joplin

Updated August 16, 2012 by Jordan Aubey:  A documentary producer makes a return trip to Joplin.  He's working on a film called "Undroppable" that focuses on students who considered dropping out of school.

The director returned to record more interviews with students.

The director also keeps in touch with the students on Facebook and Twitter.

One student who thought of dropping out of school last year after the tornado says she hopes others going through a hard time realize the experience only makes them stronger and to stick with their education.

"With 'Undroppable' around, and all the crew, and everybody talking to me and being my support system, my life has been impacted so much," says Jade Roeder.  "I know I can have someone to turn to anytime I need something.  Anytime I need something, they will always be there and that's something I've never had before.  I've always had to depend on myself."

Clips from the "Undroppable" film are available online at http://www.undroppable.com.  You can view the clips from the Joplin High students at http://joplinhighschool.undroppable.com/.

Reported July 12, 2012 by Lisa Olliges:  Seven recent graduates of Joplin High School are part of a documentary and social media campaign called "Undroppable".

The students share life stories that reveal why they were close to dropping out of high school.  They talk about parents who abused drugs, teen pregnancy and losing homes to the tornado.

Some students were part of the FLEX program and give it credit for their success.  But they all hope the honesty of the "Undroppable" campaign has an impact.

"Finish school - I know they hear that a thousand  times a day every day but they really should listen - I wish I would have," says Braden Showers.

"I certainly wasn't the worst story in that bunch," says Aaron Harper.  "If all those other kids are graduating, and I graduated, I'm hoping every kid's going to see that and graduate."

Filmmaker Jason Pollock interviewed more than 60 students.  Those clips are already online at http://www.undroppable.com.  You can view the clips from the Joplin High students at http://joplinhighschool.undroppable.com/.

The full length documentary is expected in mid 2013.