Massachusetts teen visits Permian

Two thousand miles.

That's the distance 16-year-old Devon Albert-Stone traveled to visit Odessa, pulled by "Friday Night Lights" to make a documentary on the culture of Permian while comparing it to her own background growing up in Boston.

"I have been really welcomed, and that's what I like the most," she said. "The basic decency of human beings is the same in both places, even if it takes a while longer to warm up in the Northeast."

Devon said she is surprised at some things coming close to the book's portrayal of Odessa, particularly the love of football.

"From what I've seen, it looks like there is way more focus on football than any other sport," she said.

The book mentioned a lot of alleged racism in the city, but she said she hasn't noticed that while visiting the region over the course of this week.

"I haven't seen that. No racial tension or anything; I think there may be those outliers that think like that, but that's the case everywhere," Devon said.

While in Odessa, she is filming multiple interviews with students and teachers to learn more about the city's history and culture. She said she is learning about herself in the process. After interviewing here, she will then talk to people back in her Boston suburb of Needham about their impressions and see how the two cultures are different, yet similar in some ways.

"Both my school and Permian put the same effort into seeing kids succeed," Devon said.

Devon's mother, Dana Albert, said her daughter originally wanted to come to Odessa just for a vacation but then the idea of a documentary changed the nature of the trip.

"I thought it would be a good project. It's a growing experience for her," Dana said. Devon wants to become a filmmaker when she grows up.

Pulling out her equipment, it took about 10 minutes to set up an interview with Permian assistant principal Buddy Hale. Sitting in his director's chair, she sat opposite, asking questions about Mojo, the importance of football and how things have changed at the campus. He said the spirit of early Odessa lives on today.

"It's the pioneer spirit, the wildcat spirit from those willing to take risks to succeed," he said.

FILM

Boston teen Devon Albert-Stone came to Permian to make a film after being fascinated by "Friday Night Lights." Here's future steps in the process:

>> Finish interviews in Boston by hopefully September.

>> Edit and complete the film within another year.