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Reportajes locales y estatales en español de WKAR.

WKAR Hosts VOCES 'The Pushouts' Event for Area Students

Julie Sochay
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WKAR-MSU

WKAR held two screenings on October 15 around the VOCES film The Pushouts as part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. 
The events also welcomed Martin Flores, the California-based mentor featured in the film, who led great discussions among local students. Both events were made possible by a grant WKAR received from Latino Public Broadcasting

Credit Julie Sochay
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Julie Sochay

Flores, an expert in gangs, spoke about his personal story growing up in a neighborhood where gangs are prevalent, and how he found a way to get out of the cycle of poverty. He strongly believes that the answer is education.

The first screening was held at Lansing’s Eastern High School. The screening was well attended with around 150 high school students who were shown the film and responded positively to the message. Flores spoke on stage and took questions from the students, as well as spoke to a smaller group of students over lunch.

Along with pens, pencils, and stickers, students were given VOCES and WKAR bracelets and water bottles to help continue the conversation after the event. This grant allowed WKAR to reach even farther than our in-studio audience and directly into schools by taking this unique opportunity and message to them.

Credit Jen Preslar
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Jen Preslar

The second screening was held later in the day at the WKAR studios. MSU students attended the screening and a post-film conversation with Flores.

A guest noted on a post-event survey that,“I am so grateful for WKAR, and how they highlight Hispanic/Chicano issues all year, not just during Hispanic Heritage month.”

The Pushouts features the story of Victor Rios, a high school dropout, Oakland gang member, and three-time felon by age 15. But, when a teacher’s quiet persistence, a mentor’s moral conviction, and his best friend’s murder converge, Rios’s path takes an unlikely turn. 20 years later Rios, by then an award-winning professor, author and expert on the school to prison pipeline, rejoins his old mentor to work with young people who have been pushed out of school for reasons beyond their control.

Viewers can watch the full film on WKAR HD on Friday, December 20 at 10 p.m.

 

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