DALTON, Ga. –– Georgia middle school student Nour Issa knew once she started wearing her hijab, a traditional headscarf for Muslim women, in public, there was no turning back.

“It was my decision, but once you start, the main thing is to keep wearing it,” she said. “Wearing the hijab shows you have modesty and have chosen the Islamic faith.”

Her choice prompted questions from some of her fellow Dalton Middle School classmates, leading a group of students in Gina Grey’s journalism class to center their video project on Issa.

Issa began wearing the hijab last summer and when returning to school in the fall, her classmates wondered what the significance was to her religion.

Reagan Brady, Liana Little and Julia Tucker, eighth-graders like Issa, filmed the video, titled “Free County,” which was later chosen as part of a documentary called “New Americans” for the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs.

“New Americans” is described as “stories of immigration, identity and community through the eyes of teenagers.”

“It’s basically a story about why people came to America,” Tucker said. “In Nour’s case her father came because there were better opportunities and education.”

The students began filming in November, wrapping up before the Christmas break.

“We were working on this video before it was timely,” Brady said. “We started because it’s been quite a buzz since she started wearing the hijab.”

Brady said Issa and her family members were very cooperative.

“She was very understanding of our curiosity,” Brady said.

After the video aired on the school’s morning show, Gray said students had a better understanding of why Issa wears the hijab.

“I had teachers emailing saying it was the best video,” she said.

Little said they learned so much by filming at Issa’s home and talking to her family members.

Some highlights were watching Issa pray and put on the hijab and eating a traditional meal.

“The food was really good. Her mom fixed grape leaves and lamb, I’ve never had lamb before,” Little said.

Gray said Issa’s parents were thankful for the opportunity to have her speak and show people that being Muslim does not mean they do not love the United States.

“They are thankful to be here and try to break that stereotype, which was really what Nour was trying to do,” Gray said.

Issa said it is an honor to be featured on a national level.

“With this video I can show other people I am a proud Muslim and I’m not afraid,” she said. “I felt more empowered, but I don’t feel I’m better than anyone else. I feel more confident in myself.”

Cobb writes for the Dalton, Georgia Daily Citizen.