Press release
For immediate release |
Contact person: Allison Toller Mount Vernon Presbyterian School 404-786-2969 [email protected] mountvernonschool.org |
Mount Vernon students build epic wheelchair costume for Star Wars fan and attend private screening of The Last Jedi, alongside 501st Legion Star Wars characters
As Star Wars fans storm into theaters to see The Last Jedi, the latest movie in the saga, one particular ‘Resistance Pilot’ will be watching the movie while living out a lifelong dream.
At a private screening at Phipps Plaza AMC hosted by Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, a jawa, Boba Fett, a Jedi, and a stormtrooper from the 501st Legion will welcome Jared, a 14-year-old who lives with cerebral palsy and loves Star Wars (especially Chewbacca), as he ‘flies’ his personal custom-made Millennium Falcon through the mall.
High school students at Mount Vernon partnered with Magic Wheelchair, an organization dedicated to creating epic costumes for children in wheelchairs, and 501st Legion, an all-volunteer organization formed to bring together Star Wars costume enthusiasts to transform Jared into Han Solo.
The reveal event will take place on Wednesday, December 20, beginning with Jared’s arrival at Phipps Plaza at 11:45 a.m.
Schedule of events:
11:50 a.m. Photo of Jared and Star Wars characters with Santa
12:05 p.m. Jared heads to Build-a-Bear to create his own mini Chewbacca
12:30 p.m. Jared gets fitted into his Millenium Falcon
12:45 p.m. REVEAL! Star Wars characters escort Jared down the ramp and into the theater
12:45 -1:00 p.m. Meet and greet with photo opps.
1:15 p.m. Showtime: The Last Jedi – in theater #2 at Phipps Plaza AMC for Jared and his family, Mount Vernon students, faculty, and families, along with special guests.
We invite members of the press to join us in the reveal and watching the movie. RSVP on Eventbrite.
During the last two months, students in Mount Vernon’s Innovation Diploma program have been working in partnership with Magic Wheelchair. Getting to know Jared’s needs, the students utilized design thinking, people-centered problem solving, to build the “most epic Millenium Falcon” wheelchair ever. Much of the design experience was chronicled by the students through photos and blog stories.
Mount Vernon Presbyterian School
Established in 1972, Mount Vernon Presbyterian School in Sandy Springs, Georgia serves children ages six weeks through Grade 12. MVPS is a school of inquiry, innovation, and impact. Grounded in Christian values, Mount Vernon prepares all students to be college ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders. Ultimately, Mount Vernon is a destination for anyone wishing to design a better world.
