View CCNow Cart/Checkout

                              God In Our Schools

                                      By Steve Stephens

Set in the late 1960's, Andrel, a young black boy attempts to do "what things Jesus would do", to survive his ordeal when he is chosen to be the first black student to integrate a previously all-white school in Louisiana. Andrel would survive using a “formula” of faith, determination, dedication and humility.

Isabel Brew has picked Andrel as the best black candidate to integrate Threshold High School because of his outstanding scholarship. Andrel has a desire to make something out of himself and get the best education available to him. He wants more than anything to attend dental school and become an orthodontist and helps convince his father he wants to go to the white school.

Foots, Brutie, Andrel and Reverend Joe, head of the local NAACP, enroll Andrel at Threshold High School at the last possible minute to avoid any controversy or opposition.

Once the news is out, the local KKK doesn't agree that Andrel should attend Threshold High School at all. By night, with lighted torches, the group rides out to the Pinkerton home to "scare" Foots out of his decision. The visit instead results in the tragic death of Ed "Foots" Pinkerton.

A demonstration greets the boy when he tries to attend school on opening day of the fall term. Federal Judge Teal, of the Shreveport Federal Court District, sends Federal marshals to keep down the trouble. One of the marshals, Jeff Christian, is assigned to be with Andrel at all times in the hallways of the school.

School principal Bill Weston, counseled by his wife, Pat, institutes a student committee to talk over the concerns of both the whites and of Andrel as a minority student. Order returns to the troubled school. Then Andrel receives an anonymous note threatening his grandmother's life if the boy does not withdraw from school. Andrel believes he must withdraw.

Andrel also catches David, the school's quarterback (and son of the local head Klansman responsible for Foots' death), trying to cheat on a science test. Andrel refuses to tell Bill Weston about the cheating even though another student overheard the two boys. Andrel refuses to use David's lapse for his own advantage.

Andrel's fair nature and fortitude in dealing with every trial thrown at him by the white students wins David over and the boys become close friends. Bill Weston also changes his mind about Andrel. They persuade Andrel to join their school country/western band. Andrel's talent as a musician plus David's switch to being his champion, help him become more accepted by the Threshold High students.

Graduation day comes for the two boys. David has better grades than Andrel by one percentage point. At the commencement ceremony, David removes his valedictorian's medal and slips it over Andrel's head.

Price:  $29.00

Add To Shopping Cart