We're thrilled to announce that our student-produced film Doing It for Me will be screened for an audience of policymakers tomorrow at the Department of Education, as part of a discussion about issues related to high school dropouts and dropout prevention.
Watch:
Missed the event? Watch a recording here on ED Stream.
- Intro: 1:30
- Screening: 10:45
- Panel: 36:00
When: Thursday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Where: Barnard Auditorium, LBJ Department of Education Building
Agenda:
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Welcome from Deb Delisle, Assistant Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Film viewing
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Panel discussion moderated by Greg Darnieder, Special Advisor on College Access:
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Precious Lambert and Leah Edwards, co-directors
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Maureen Dwyer, Executive Director of the Sitar Arts Center
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Cristian A. Olivera Garcia, a senior enrolled in an interagency program at an alternative school, Seattle Public Schools. Garcia participated in a dropout prevention program funded by ED's High School Incentive Grant program.
We'll be live tweeting the event, so be sure to follow us at @meridianhillpix!
Doing It for Me provides a look into the lives of two young DC women, Jessica and Victoria, who lose their way in the traditional school system for personal and family reasons. When their best friend of many years, Precious Lambert, became deeply concerned that Jessica and Victoria were becoming ‘lost,’ she decided to do something about it through the youth documentary program at Sitar Arts Center. Precious and her classmates use the process of creating a documentary to help tell their story and along the way, chart a new direction for Jessica and Victoria’s future.
The story shows how friendship, peer mentors, flexible programs and school environments can create a strong support system to combat feelings of anger and isolation that may lead to dropping out of high school. The film challenges common misperceptions and stereotypes of high school dropouts and reveals the complex situations that impact student decisions about dropping out of school.
If you are a reporter and would like to learn more about this project, please contact Alison Buki, Communications & Outreach Manager at alison(at)meridianhillpictures.com or 202-450-4085.
