bullitt county public schools partnered with alchemy collaborative to create a surprise tribute video celebrating kristi lynch, principal of north bullitt high school and recipient of the 2025 kasa building level administrator of the year award. the project was anchored in bcps’s mission and values, spotlighting kristi’s transformational leadership through the voices of students, staff, and community. when a technical issue kept the video from playing at the live event, the team responded with care, creativity, and unwavering commitment to story.

the challenge

the district wanted to celebrate kristi lynch with a surprise video that felt authentic, values-driven, and reflective of her character. the process involved deep creative planning, tight confidentiality, and quick thinking when the final moment didn’t unfold as expected.

the video wasn’t just about recognition; it was about reflection. alchemy had to design a structure that mapped directly to bcps’s mission, core values, aspirations, and graduate profile, while still feeling heartfelt and organic.

working behind the scenes for a surprise reveal

to keep the tribute a secret, the team had to gather interviews, visuals, and approvals with minimal visibility. the process required strategic communication and trust across multiple layers of district leadership.

navigating a technical failure at the live event

the video was intended to play during kristi’s on-stage recognition at kasa. but when the tech failed and the screen stayed dark, the team had to act fast to preserve the moment and honor kristi in a different way.

anchor the story in bcps values

alchemy mapped the video to bcps’s leadership frameworks, using kristi’s story to reflect student-centered leadership, service before self, and future-focused innovation. the structure followed seven thematic sections aligned to the district’s strategic plan.

design intentional, voice-driven interviews

interviews were guided by custom prompts connected to each theme, ensuring consistency across voices while allowing emotional authenticity to shine through. interviewees included students, teachers, staff, and community members.

script an unforgettable opening

adrienne usher opened the video by contrasting a typical administrator with a transformational one, setting the tone for a tribute built on purpose, not position. her narration anchored the viewer in what makes kristi’s leadership distinct.

protect the moment with presence

when the video failed to play live, alchemy arranged a private viewing for kristi and her family. the intimacy of that setting turned a potential misstep into a moment of powerful connection and celebration.

“this wasn’t just a video. it was a reflection of who kristi is and what bcps stands for. even when things didn’t go as planned, alchemy made sure the heart of the story still reached the people who needed it.”

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