Franklin Pierce Schools — In their efforts to encourage more students to become the first in their family to attend college, both Keithley Middle School and Washington High School are teaming up to bring a film and its makers to the Washington campus for staff, students, and parents to view. The film, called First Generation, will be shown on the evening of Wednesday, October 17. The showing will be preceded by a catered dinner and preceded by a question and answer period with the filmmakers.

An award-winning feature-length documentary narrated by Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood, First Generation tells the story of four high school students – an inner city athlete, a small town waitress, a Samoan warrior dancer, and the daughter of migrant field workers – who set out to break the cycle of poverty and bring hope to their families
and communities by pursuing a college education.

Shot over the course of three years and featuring some of our nation’s top educational experts (Richard Kahlenberg, The Century Foundation; J.B. Schramm, College Summit; Dr. Bill Tierney, University of Southern California), the 95 minute documentary  explores the problem of college access faced by first generation and low-income students
and how their success has major implications for the future of our nation.

“We believe that our students deserve every opportunity to pursue higher education that other, more advantaged students can sometimes take for granted and we’re committed to ensuring that our students graduate equipped with the skills to be successful in their post-secondary pursuits,” said Keithley Middle School’s Principal, Tom Edwards. Edwards was formerly an Assistant Principal at Washington High School.

Tickets are limited by the number of seats at the Washington High School theater. Parents of Keithley Middle School students are encouraged to contact Keithley’s main office at (253) 298-4300 to reserve their tickets. Parents of Washington High School students are encouraged to contact Washington’s main office at (253) 298-4700.

“Dinner and a Movie”

Wednesday, October 17

5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Washington High School’s cafeteria and theater