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Grad Finishes Documentary Film on Women in Military

1990 Richland High School Graduate Julie recognizes and fosters their innate inner JULIE HERA DESTEFANO
Hera DeStefano has recently finalized a resiliency,” Ms. DeStefano said. “We want to
feature-length documentary, “Journey to Nor- put a face on service. We want to demystify
mal: Women of War Come Home” and seeking the American veteran by revealing the human
distribution of the film. She was invited by a behind the uniform. We are currently sharing
medical task force to spend four months with experiences of female veterans. However, we
the US Military in Afghanistan. She spent time frequently see their stories resonate with veter-
filming and interviewing more than 100 women ans of all eras, women as well as men.”
about their experiences in the military, their lives
back home and what they envisioned for their DeStefano has been invited across the nation to
transition home. speak about the deployment and reintegration
experiences of women veterans and leads Jour-
On Dec. 6, 2015, she was the keynote speaker ney to Normal, Inc., a charitable 501c3 organi-
at the American Legion Post 548 Pearl Harbor zation. Journey to Normal, Inc. exists to advance
Tribute program, which highlights those still its mission of sharing the stories of women in
serving and all veterans, prisoners of war and service, creating a network of connection for
those missing in action. She told the American them, educating the public about them, and
Legion Post 548 and their families that we need providing media and research materials for
to support all veterans. those who serve them. Each year, the American
Legion hosts the tribute to veterans under the
“We must move toward a more comprehensive direction of Post Commander Jerry Gogolin,
understanding and appreciation for veterans’ Jack Gabor and Robert Schleiden.
experiences and support them in a way that

Grad Provides Behind Scenes Wizardry for Universal Studios

2006 Pine-Richland High School graduate Ben ENGINEER JOSEPH MAIKISCH HOISTS UP 2006 PRHS GRADUATE
Clark has been working as a special effects and BEN CLARK, WHO WORKS HIS MAGIC AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
ride engineer at Universal Creative in Florida. IN FLORIDA.
He spent several years collaborating with the
artists, designers, architects, engineers, and a 2016 PINE-RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
construction team at Universal Creative to bring
the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon
Alley to life.

“I had a crash course in theme park design and
engineering as I managed about three dozen or
so third party companies over the course of the
project,” he said. “My responsibilities included
the special effects for Harry Potter and the
Escape from Gringott’s, Diagon Alley, and the
Hogwart’s Express, and the dragon which sits
atop Gringott’s Bank in Diagon Alley.”

Mr. Clark graduated from Penn State University
in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in mechani-
cal design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre
production and design, with an emphasis in
lighting design.

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