Cory Coots, Angel Hill, Ellie Hogg, Jade Slone & Jarrod Stamper
Whitesburg, Ky.
“Before It’s Too Late,” a short film produced this past summer, investigates water quality in Letcher County, Ky. The five youth involved in the project spoke with locals and other experts, uncovering critical information about water pollution.
Every year, media nonprofit Applashop brings Appalachian high schoolers to Whitesburg, Ky., to gain media skills and explore regional issues for the Summer Documentary Institute.
Creating “Before It’s Too Late” had its difficulties — the young filmmakers say that water quality can be a touchy subject in the area, with some residents involved in lawsuits over pollution and others afraid of alienating employers or landlords. But Cory Coots, 17, of Viper, Ky., says the topic is critically important. “Water quality directly influences us because we drink that water, we bathe in that water,” he says. “If there’s something wrong with it, it’s obviously going to affect us somehow.”
Ellie Hogg, 17, of Berea, Ky., says she has a new understanding of the impacts of water pollution, and believes that youth who speak out about these problems have the ability to bring awareness to other young people.
“[The experience] made me feel more connected to people who are involved in solving problems,” she says. — By Molly Moore
Related Articles
Latest News
More Stories
‘First Line of Defense’
During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.
The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery
Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.
After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain
A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.
The Washout and Rebuild
For nearly two years, residents of Unicoi County, Tennessee, have had to make do without a hospital after Hurricane Helene destroyed the rural hospital. Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, broke ground on a new location — in another floodplain — in August 2026.
The Shenandoah Salamander
The Shenandoah salamander is a woodland salamander, which has adapted to life at higher elevations away from water. This sparkling rarity lives among the dry leaves, cracked logs, and stony hillocks on the highest peaks of Shenandoah National Park.
‘Foraging Is a Way of Connecting’
Foraging has experienced a modern resurgence, partly because of social media, online groups, the pandemic and people wanting to connect with nature. It also builds community, whether in person or online.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Leave a Comment