Bulldog history preserved

ELIDA — When John Ondo shot video inside the old Elida High School, he did it mostly when the building was empty. It was the 1985 graduate's way of allowing viewers of his documentary to put themselves inside those walls.

“When hallways are empty and lockers are closed, I think in your own mind you just kind of put your friends in those places and you just kind of fill in the blanks with what it was like when you were there.”

The 60-minute documentary, “Reflections of Elida,” is now available for purchase, including at Sunday's 1 to 5 p.m. open house at the new Elida High School. A dedication will begin at 2 p.m. Some of the proceeds from the sales will benefit the Elida scholarship fund.

Ondo, who owns Ondo Media in Columbus, began shooting for the documentary in late 2008. He continued until this past July as the old building came down. It is Ondo's first project of this kind, but he hopes it will lead to more. He thought of the idea soon after voters approved a levy for the new school.

“I thought this was really something that needs to be documented,” he said. “I know from different experiences I have seen from different people that once these schools are gone, you can't take yours kids back, or relive those memories again.”

The documentary includes video of the old and new buildings, photos dating back to the 1920s from the school yearbook, and interviews with former students and staff, including “iconic” history teacher Paul Sluss. The exterior of the building was shot in all four seasons.

Viewers will get a glimpse of the school's history: The school's colors were black and gold until gold wasn't available during World War II; football uniforms of the 1930s were donated by a man who raised bulldog puppies, leading to the school's mascot.

“You do feel like you are back in the building again,” Ondo said.

Bonus features include more of the Sluss interview and the class murals, which were added to hallway walls each year starting in 1982.

Ondo mostly wanted to tell the school's history for those generations to come who will have never stepped inside the old building. He included the new building partly to send a message to former students.

“To show the alumni that this building really does belong here, and that it was time for the old one to go,” he said. “And that this new building is something the whole community can be really, really proud of.”

The project, Ondo said, has also reconnected school alumni. The trailer for the documentary earned two Telly Awards for outstanding writing and online video promotion. Ondo created his company in 2008. He spent 18 years with WTLW in Lima.

The DVD costs $35, with Blu-ray available for $50. They can be ordered at http://j.mp/ochgT3. Copies are also available at the district administrative building and at home athletic events.

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