Cipher in the Snow

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cipher in the Snow
Directed by Keith J. Atkinson
Written by Jean Mizer
Starring Robert Bridges
Bruce Kimball
Roberta Shore
Jacqueline Mayo
Walter Stocker
Mary Cox
Larry Watts
Martha Henstrom
Kirk Hutchings
Ronald Jenkins
Court LeRoy
Release date(s) 1973
Running time 21 min.
Country United States
Language English
IMDb profile

Cipher in the Snow is an inspirational story by Jean Mizer about the death of an ostracized teenager. It was made into a short film by Brigham Young University in 1973.

Contents

[edit] Background

Cipher in the Snow, written by Jean Mizer, an Idaho teacher, counsellor and guidance director, was first published in the NEA Journal, 50:8-10, 1964. It won first prize in the first Reader's Digest/NEA Journal writing competition.[1][2]

It has since been frequently reprinted and the story and film used in school moral education: for instance, as part of anti-bullying initiatives.[3]

Brigham Young University made a movie of it in 1973. The film was produced by Wetzel Whitaker and Keith Atkinson, with a screenplay by Carol Lynn Pearson.

[edit] Synopsis

The story is about an ostracized teenager, Cliff Evans, who following his parents' divorce has no friends and becomes a completely withdrawn "cipher". Then on a school bus asks to be let off, and collapses and dies in the snow near the roadside. His school's math teacher is asked to notify his parents and write the obituary. Though listed as Cliff's favorite teacher, he recalls that he hardly knew him. After getting a delegation to go to the funeral - it's impossible to find ten people who knew him well enough to go - the teacher resolves never to let this happen to another child in his charge.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Promoting Health And Emotional Well-Being in Your Classroom, Randy M. Page and Tana S. Page, Jones & Bartlett, 2007, ISBN 076374154X
  2. ^ Educational Horizons, Pi Lambda Theta, 1976
  3. ^ Bullying Videos/DVDs, Idaho RADAR Network Center

[edit] External links