Two movies with talent from Wayne
and Inkster will be screened at the State
Wayne Phoenix Theatre in a benefit for
the Champions of Wayne Memorial High
School.
The world premiere of
Liz
and the
Michigan premiere of
Rogers Park
will
both be screened at the State Wayne
Phoenix Theatre, and both films have ties
to Wayne and Wayne Memorial High
School.
Liz
, a short movie filmed locally,
was written and directed by 2013 Wayne
graduate Alec Gibson.
Rogers Park
, a full
feature film that debuted at the Chicago
International Film Festival, stars Inkster
native and recent Wayne distinguished
alumnus AntoineMcKay.
The premieres are Wednesday
evening, Sept. 26 on all four screens and
are presented by Champions of Wayne, an
innovative academic program for Wayne
Memorial students.
Gibson graduated from Wayne
Memorial, attended Alma College and is
finishing his graphic design degree at
EasternMichiganUniversity. McKay grew
up in Inkster and also graduated from
Wayne Memorial before heading to
Eastern Michigan University. From there,
McKay performed on Second City main
stages in Detroit and Chicago before
appearing on television shows such as ER
(NBC), PrisonBreak andEmpire (FOX).
Liz
portrays a hopeless romantic who,
over the course of a month, meets and
falls in love with a shy and often nervous
boy, James.
Rogers Park
, named after the
Rogers Park neighborhood in Chicago,
follows two middle-aged couples as they
navigate a complex, dramatic, and some-
times humorous year in one of the most
culturally diverse areas in the Windy City.
Notoriety for
Rogers Park
includes a New
York Times “Critic's Pick,” a 100 percent
Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and an
Official Selection at the 2017 Chicago
International FilmFestival.
Rogers Park
which will be shown sepa-
rately after
Liz
and associated events, is
rated R (intense adult situations, sexual
content, drug use) and attendance is
strictly limited to those over 17 unless
accompanied by parent or guardian. A
separate admission ticket will be
required.
Champions of Wayne, which has com-
bined mentoring, incentives, and goal-set-
ting to bolster culture and achievement at
Wayne Memorial for nearly a decade, has
a track record of academic success.
Beginning as a grassroots program in 2009
with a trophy and a #2 pencil, Champions
of Wayne has grown to a robust 501c3 non-
profit and serves as a beacon to other
schools in the state.
Once measured as a below average
high school, Wayne Memorial has now
been recognized by US News and World
Report as one of America's best high
schools two years in a row and has recent
graduates attending the likes of Stanford,
Harvard, Georgetown as well as record
admissions to Michigan State University
and theUniversity ofMichigan.
“Champions of Wayne has been an
integral part of the changes to Wayne
Memorial,” said Principal Kevin Weber.
“The program has been a cornerstone in
shaping the student-oriented culture at
WayneMemorial.”
A limited number of sponsorship pack-
ages are available and include reserved
tickets, pre-party festivities, cast meet--
and-greet photo session and more.
Contact Debbie Vigliarolo at
.
For complete information on
Champions of Wayne, ways to help, and to
purchase tickets for this event, visit
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
7
September 20, 2018
Midweek Praise Day begins
I
NKSTER
- W
AYNE
- W
ESTLAND
Local talent
Movie premieres benefit student
scholarship program at high school
Saturday is ‘A Day For You’
The oldest African-American church in
Inkster will begin a weekly worship serv-
ice and lunch on
Wednesdays.
Smith
Chapel
A.M.E. will begin serv-
ing the free luncheon
at
noon
on
Wednesday, Oct. 3. fol-
lowing a sermon by
Pastor
Cindy
Rudolph. The lunch will be served in the
FellowshipHall at the church.
The service and luncheon, Midweek-
Praise Day, are open to the public. The
church is located at 3505Walnut St. on the
corner of BeechSt.
The Smith Chapel
A.M.E. Church has
served Inkster resi-
dents for 94 years and
was first organized by
a small group of local
residents on Oct. 5,
1924.
Fror more informa-
tion, contact Michelle Fuseyamore-
Howse, director of outreach at
(313)5612837 or email admin@smith
chapelchurch.org.
The Westland Police Department is
hosting an event aimed at children
and young adults with special needs
this Saturday at the Westland Police
Department.
A Day For You will consist of sever-
al different activities including inter-
acting with police vehicles, canine
demonstrations, tactical officers and
equipment, and a tour of the police
department. The event will take place
from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday,
Sept. 22.
The first tour will take place from
10 a.m. until noon and is by appoint-
ment only. This tour is geared toward
individuals who are sensitive to senso-
ry stimulation, (no lights or sirens will
be activated, and tour group sizes will
be limited to a maximum of 20 at a
time). To reserve a time for the tour,
The second tour will take place
from 1 to 3 p.m. and will be open to all
children and young adults with special
needs, but no sensory issues.
The service
and luncheon,
Midweek-Praise Day,
are open to the public.
”
