Blue Ant Studios’ company Saloon Media announced the addition of a new scholarship that will offer to help cover costs for Booker High School graduates who want to further their education. The grant was created on behalf of Emma E. Booker School in Sarasota, Florida. “Helping establish a scholarship to give back to The Booker schools in Sarasota, which have gone over and above for their students, is a dream come true for the entire "9/11 Kids" production team and continues the documentary’s message of optimism and hope for the future,” says Elizabeth St. Philip, Director, "9/11 Kids."
The announcement was made at the same time as the scheduling of the 2020 American Black Film Festival and its selection of “9/11 Kids.” The film is produced and created by Steve Gamester. Elizabeth St. Philip serves as Director and Co-Producer. Executive Producer for Saloon Media is Michael Kot. Blue Ant International handles the documentary’s international licensing. "9/11 Kids" was produced in association with the documentary Channel.
Saloon Media will contribute funds for the scholarship, along with Elizabeth St. Philip who is donating the prize awarded to her for winning the Rogers Audience Award at the Hot Docs International Film Festival, where 9/11 Kids premiered earlier this year. "Take Stock in Children" of Sarasota County, a Florida-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping students in need achieve post-secondary education, will be the scholarship partner.
"The Gwendolyn Tose'-Rigell Scholarship" committee will consist of Kay Daniels, Edwina Oliver, Principal at Booker Elementary, and Dr. LaShawn Frost, Principal at Booker Middle School. Take Stock in Children has created a website for the general public to contribute to the scholarship. Donors contribute by writing “9/11 Kids” in the custom message section.
The documentary tells the never-before-told story of the second-graders who were reading with Former President George W. Bush at Emma E. Booker Elementary School when the World Trade Center was attacked in 2001. Now, the twenty-year-olds share the personal details of their stories, which consist of inequality discrimination and economic struggle after 9/11 occurred. “This scholarship is such a wonderful gesture and will help a life-long Booker student continue their education beyond the walls of our schools,” says Mrs. Sandra Kay Daniels, a long-time teacher at Emma E. Booker Elementary School who was the classroom teacher during President Bush’s visit on 11th September, 2001, and is interviewed in “9/11 Kids.”
The scholarship will honor the late Principal Gwendolyn Tose'-Rigell, who helped make President Bush’s visit to the school possible. Almost two decades ago, he celebrated the school’s achievements in literacy with the students and told them about the national education initiative, “No Child Left Behind.” That day was quickly overshadowed by the 9/11 attacks. The film reflects on the theme of race in America as well as what the American Dream means today.
This scholarship is such a wonderful gesture and will help a life-long Booker student continue their education beyond the walls of our schools. who was the classroom teacher during President Bush’s visit on 11th September, 2001, and is interviewed in '9/11 Kids.'” Sandra Kay Daniels Emma E. Booker Elementary School
