A group of dropout-prone high school students in the 1980s were transformed into some of the nation's top Calculus students-all thanks to a math teacher who believed in the power of potential.
"Stand and Deliver," the third of five films in the Ball State University Multicultural Center's film series, will focus on the story of a devoted teacher who motivates a class full of East L.A. barrio kids to care enough about math to pass an Advanced Placement Calculus Test.
The showing of "Stand and Deliver," based on a true story, will take place at 9:30 p.m. in Pruis Hall.
"Hopefully this sort of movie can provide an idea of inspiration that might allow (students) to go into those areas where they find a passion and to go after it with heart," Derick Virgil, director of the Multicultural Center, said.
Virgil said the overall purpose of the Multicultural Film Series is to promote diversity on Ball State's campus by incorporating a variety of cultures, including Latino, black and Asian.
"The film series provides a series of films for students to submerge themselves in another culture for a couple of hours and to experience the nuances of another world," he said.
"Stand and Deliver," a 1988 film directed by Ram+â-¦n Men+â-¬ndez, features Edward Olmos who plays math teacher Jaime Escalante. Escalante exercises unconventional teaching methods to help his students reach academic success.
One of the reasons "Stand and Deliver" was selected for the Multicultural Film Series was to help celebrate Hispanic heritage this month, Lashonda Fuller, assistant director of the Multicultural Center, said.
"Stand and Deliver" not only focuses on Hispanic culture, but it conveys the overall message of determination, which is pertinent to the success of all teachers and students. The movie centers around the assumptions and biases held by the mainstream about disadvantaged youths, as well as Escalante's efforts to help his students prove the public wrong.
"If you have the right motivation and believe you can do something ... you can pretty much achieve whatever you set your mind to do," Virgil said.
Fuller said "Stand and Deliver" should help encourage students who are uncertain about their own academic abilities to believe in themselves and not underestimate their possibilities.
"Even in college, you have students who aren't confident, and if they connect with a mentor whom they feel inspires them, then that student can be encouraged to believe in their ability," Fuller said. "And once you believe in your ability, then there's no limit on how far you can go."
Fuller said she hoped students attend the film showing tonight and become familiar with the key issues that people of all ethnicities face.
"Every culture and each individual has something they can self-identify with," she said.
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