Late teen subject of student film

Juan Rivera said he only exchanged pleasantries with Peyton Chavez a few times before conducting interviews for a documentary film on the late Portales Junior High School student.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Portales High School media students Juan Rivera, right, and James Idsinga edit a documentary film about Peyton Chavez.

Rivera said he learned a little about Peyton Chavez through Nathan Chavez, Peyton's older brother, and admired him without ever talking to him.

"I've heard he (Chavez) was a really good friend and he was always there for everyone and never judged anyone," said Rivera, a Portales High sophomore. "I heard he was just a really cool kid."

Peyton Chavez died a little more than a year ago in his sleep at age 13 from an undiagnosed heart disease called cardiomyopathy.

Since March, Portales High students and Portales High media arts instructor Franklin Smith have spent five to six hours a week working on a documentary celebrating the life of a local teenager known for his piety and compassion for others.

The film will commemorate Chavez' life and show how his death has affected the community. According to Smith, students conducted interviews, compiled photos, edit the film and compose the film's soundtrack.

Smith said his job is to point students in the right direction.

He said many scenes are interviews shot in front of a green screen with images of Peyton Chavez as a backdrop.

"As a mom, as a friend, as a coach, you want to know if a passing was so sudden that some good can come out of it and this is a way for some good to come out of it," said Smith, who coached Chavez' Little League team. "I think it's a really good story to tell."

Rivera said he enjoyed connecting with the Chavez family and Chavez' close friends. He also said many interviews were emotionally difficult with people answering questions on the verge of tears.

A majority of the film's interviews are with Chavez' classmates. There are also interviews with former teachers and coaches, and family members.