An American Education

Director Thai Bonapart first joined the student filmmaking group of WCHS History Project during her sophomore year at West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, NC. Combining her love for her school, her interest in history, and her instinct for storytelling, Thai quickly excelled. Working with producers and educators at WCHS History Project, including Oscar-winner Marshall Curry, and West Charlotte alumni and producers Elizabeth Martin, Jay Ferguson, and Elizabeth Davis, Thai directed and narrated the 24 minute short documentary film, AN AMERICAN EDUCATION. Thai’s father attended West Charlotte in what he calls “the glory years” and her mother has been a teacher at the school for more than twenty years. Digging into personal stories, archival materials, and her own reflections, Thai brings a fresh perspective to a story that is little known outside of its community and a film that challenges assumptions about race, community, and the south. Thai is currently a college sophomore at North Carolina A&T.