In this AMA-UTA CreateCollab, Victoria Alvarez explores a family’s legacy and the faithful steed in her one minute documentary, A Horse’s Impact Lasts a Lifetime
Read more about our CreateCollab partnership below.
A HORSE’S IMPACT LASTS A LIFETIME
ABOUT MY ONE MINUTE DOCUMENTARY
A Horse’s Impact Lasts a Lifetime by Victoria Alvarez
Melanie Stitt is a full-time Fort Worth principal and a life-long horse lover. Her affinity for horses came from the love her grandpa instilled in her as a young girl. To this day, she continues his legacy as she aims to instill that same love of horses to others.
She started this journey when her daughter wanted to competitively ride horses. Since then, people ranging from the ages of 4 to 65, come to learn the basics of horse riding. Holding lessons each day after school, she instructs from the arena down her street. Her son assists in her lessons, her husband supplies her with endless support, and her daughter allowed her the opportunity to renew her passion. Melanie says she never could have accomplished this feat without her family’s encouragement.
Melanie’s passion lies in others experiencing all the rewarding sides to horses. There is a lot more to them than just getting in the saddle and riding. They are very loving, affectionate, and sensitive beings who develop strong connections with their owners. This may be the inspiration for why a medieval knight’s warhorse is called a destrier, which comes from a Latin word meaning on the right or right hand. Their trusted companions devotedly carried them into battles, tournaments, and jousts. Who would a knight be without a noble steed at their right-hand side?
This is Melanie Stitt’s experience.
The love for horses has always been a constant in her life, passed down from her grandfather. This unwavering affection is a special connection to her family just as it is for a knight and his horse. It is a bond that is hard to break and one that she keeps on her right, always.
Meet Victoria Alvarez
Victoria is a University of Texas at Arlington journalism senior who, with her final semester ahead, is longing to sleep more than five hours a night! With a double minor in biology and psychology, Victoria has an avid interest in science writing and public health journalism. Coming from a Hispanic background, she would ultimately love to help her community become more comfortable with all things related to health, or science in general!
Although Victoria is enamored with screaming along to her favorite songs at concerts, she’s happiest sitting at home with her favorite blanket and a good (or bad!) movie.
About AMA-UTA CreateCollab
Throughout the Fall 2022 semester, the Arlington Museum of Art is partnering with The University of Texas at Arlington and a senior-level digital storytelling class to explore a wide variety of contemporary themes inspired by “A Knight’s Tale.”
Class projects include photo essays, one-minute documentaries, and one-minute podcasts about themes as broad as sword fighting with light sabers, fulfilling family legacies, every day heroes, and modern metalsmithing.
Associate Professor of Communication Erika Pribanic-Smith, who teaches the class, values opportunities to bring real-world experiences to her students.
“My goal is to give my students real-world experience in all of my classes, creating real stories using real sources,” said Dr. Pribanic-Smith. “Creating stories that will be published for the public to see, not just submitted for a grade, gives students extra incentive to put forth their best effort. Furthermore, working with professionals gives the students another layer of feedback to re-enforce what they’re learning in the classroom. I prefer to work with organizations like the Arlington Museum of Art who will benefit in some way from the students’ content so that we are providing a service to the community.”
