Reinventing the Patriot
“Reinventing the Patriot” was created to recognize superhero-levels of activism by youth nationwide. The vision was inspired by founder Paige Edmiston’s 2008 essay, “What True Patriotism Means to Me: A New Breed of Superhero for the 21st Century,” which shows how community and civic engagement by youth can lead to results as powerful as any of those delivered by our comic book heroes. The essay is being adapted into a 22-minute film (currently in post-production) that documents the amazing story of the students of Federal Way High School who, in 2012, rallied their community to turnaround a 15 point electoral levy campaign loss into a 20 point victory in eight months, assuring a $120 million state of the art school.
52 comments
Steve Edmiston • about 13 years ago
We need to finish the west coast! Oregon? Alaska? Hawaii? Beuller?
Steve Edmiston • about 13 years ago
We need to finish the west coast! Oregon? Alaska? Hawaii? Beuller?
Steve Edmiston • about 13 years ago
We need to finish the west coast! Oregon? Alaska? Hawaii? Beuller?
amanda priest • about 13 years ago
Great work in Federal Way! Voting from Massachusetts :)
Brenda Jallits • about 13 years ago
Voted. Keep up the good work!
Steve Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Thanks Brenda and Amanda - and Massachusetts is counted!
Carol Egner • about 13 years ago
Alaska has voted. : ) I finally figured out the logistics!
Kelly Edwards • about 13 years ago
One of these FWHS grads "who never amounted to anything" is now a professor at UW and Associate Dean in the Graduate School there :-). Thank goodness for the human spirit. These kids ARE worth it. Everyone has a contribution to make. Thanks Paige for bringing their voices to light. Am spreading the word!
Carrie Ebner • about 13 years ago
Go Eagles!!! Class of 90!!
Paige Edmiston • about 13 years ago
It's so great to see all the wonderful things that FWHS grads are doing. I know I am personally very inspired by it and I know the students at our alma mater are too. Keep spreading the word!
Steve Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Thanks Carol! You are NOT the only one that's had to figure out the way TO vote versus "liking" on facebook! Thanks for sticking with it Alaska!
Melody Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Add IL to the list!
Steve Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Over 300 fb likes - I know that fb likes are NOT votes and aren't counted, but thanks all for the support? Will we see this over 500?
Tom Phillips • about 13 years ago
This is an amazing piece. I would love to read the essay!!! Thanks for putting a voice to this story.
Paige Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Tom - thank you so much for your support! It's really the students who make this story so amazing. You can read the essay on our blog: http://www.reinventingthepatriot.com/the-origin-story/the-origin-story/
Steve Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Tom, I like this part of the essay - "Patriotism, in its most real and truthful sense, is love of one’s country. But it is not unconditional; instead it is a wonderfully conditional love that requires something more than obsessive allegiance to a symbol. It is love tempered by wisdom and powered by goodness and obligation. It is the love expressed in the dying words of Spiderman’s Uncle Ben, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Hard to top that.
Tony Larson Photo-Videography • about 13 years ago
Loved Reinventing the Patriot
Steve Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Thanks Tony! We love it too and thanks for your support!
Madison Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Vote before NOON tomorrow... Eagle Proud!!!
Melody Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Facebook likes aren't the same as voting but it would be fun to get over 500!
Melody Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Facebook likes aren't the same as voting but it would be fun to get over 500!
Melody Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Facebook likes aren't the same as voting but it would be fun to get over 500!
Melody Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Facebook likes aren't the same as voting but it would be fun to get over 500!
Steve Edmiston • about 13 years ago
Only a couple hours left - maybe we get over 500 "likes" - we're at 475! NOW, don't get me wrong - a FB like is NOT a vote and you need to turn the red button to a gray "thank you" or your vote has not been counted! Thanks all!
Linda Kuniega • about 13 years ago
Go Eagles! 1979 graduate voting from Ohio. My nephew graduated last year. I will be back to visit my family in FW in a few weeks - my mot still lives two blocks away from FWHS. Lots of great memories of my high school days.