While most college students at Pepperdine were preparing for final exams, Tom Shadyac, filmmaker-in-residence at the Center for Entertainment, Media and Culture at Seaver College, rounded up about 50 students to distribute bicycles and helmets at Stephen C. Foster Elementary School in Compton on Dec. 6.
This semester, Shadyac hosted a five-week Convocation series that explored faith themes in media. From previous semesters, his class grew from 20 to 400 students. The filmmaker and philanthropist gave away 400 bikes to those who attended the last Convocation. However, he requested one thing in return. The students were asked to donate $25. The $25 donation contributed to “Bikechella” at Foster Elementary.
Shadyac, a cycling enthusiast, gives out bikes “to remind kids to play.” He said he knows all too well society’s pressure to be successful and wants them to be serious about play.
Shadyac and his students traveled by bus to the elementary school. The giveaway, which aired on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Dec. 12, was a surprise for the fifth-grade class. While the fifth-graders were attending what they thought was a bus safety assembly, Pepperdine students helped unload 150 bikes and helmets, and set them up behind two buses. Shadyac and his students stormed the assembly and unveiled the bikes.
The principal of Foster Elementary, Dr. Jackie Sanderlin, was brought to tears. Sanderlin has made it her mission to change the way these children think of themselves. Instead of referring to them as “kids,” they are referred to as “scholars.”
“I’m really excited about this program! Just today is going to bring a gift to our children in a way that they might not have had without you all doing what you did. But, you did more than bring bikes. I hope you know you brought service. You brought a value of giving and receiving,” Sanderlin said.
Pepperdine students outfitted the children with their helmets, and actively participated in teaching the new cyclists how to ride. The kids made a verbal agreement to wear their helmets. Safety was emphasized because a serious cycling accident in 2007 led Shadyac to develop post-concussion syndrome.
Like a surfer who re-enters the water after a shark attack, Shadyac continues to bike. Since the life-changing accident, Shadyac sold his 17,000-square-foot Los Angeles mansion and moved into a Malibu trailer park. Instead of directing and producing Hollywood blockbusters, Shadyac now directs and produces documentaries about finding true happiness.
Watch Shadyac’s students give back:
[youtube rqA5PhGfr9E]
