On July 6, Philando Castile was killed by Officer Jeronimo Yanez during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, MN. The shooting's aftermath streamed live on Facebook by Castile's girlfriend. Castile was a beloved cafeteria supervisor at J.J. Hill Montessori Magnet School in St. Paul.
Determined to remember his life and not just his death, St. Paul Central High School created the "Philando Future Educator Scholarship" to honor its late alumnus.
According to the Star Tribune, the St. Paul Central High School foundation will offer the scholarship to a student from an underprivileged background who wants to pursue a career in education or child development.
"We have a lot of high-school graduates working in elementary and middle schools but they don't have their teacher's license," said Adrian Perryman, an organizer and '03 graduate. "These individuals relate to the students greatly, but they can't affect the curriculum."
Many of these paraprofessionals are black men, said Perryman, assistant director of academic advising at Concordia University St. Paul.
The Foundation raised $10,000 prior to Sunday's fundraiser, meeting their original goal. By the end of the event, they raised another $15,000 for the scholarship fund. All told, they raised more than $25,000.
Gregory Crockett, Castile's best friend, said he thought a scholarship was a great idea.
"It would be really dope if this scholarship could produce a couple of black teachers," said Crockett.
Donations to the Philando Future Educator Scholarship can be made through the Central High School Foundation. Click here for the link.
On Monday, August 22, Officer Jeronimo Yanez returned to work. Philando Castile does not get that privilege.
Rest in power, Philando. Your spirit lives. The work continues.