Honoring the memory of a true superhero
Angel Young and Eric Skaggs had a special bond growing up. The two lived next door to one another in Leadwood, spending much of their childhood as best of friends.
Skaggs passed away due to complications from Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 14 — just a couple of months before Young would turn 15.
The two had grown very close growing up and loved to talk about common interests.
“One of the things we really shared and had in common was our love of comic books and comic book characters,” Young recalled.
Young admits one of her favorite characters was Batman.
“I would pretend to be Batman and Eric would pretend to be whatever,” Young said with a laugh.
When Young learned of a charity campaign started by a documentary producer/director, she knew it would be a perfect opportunity to honor her friend.
“Legends of a Knight” is a documentary produced and directed by Brett Culp, an award-winning digital filmmaker known for producing inspirational documentary films.
His latest work tells the true stories of individuals inspired to become real-life heroes by their childhood love of Batman and the power they had to affect change in spite of their personal, emotional or physical obstacles.
Culp partnered with Tugg.com earlier this year to launch a charity campaign enabling fans across the country to request a screening of a film in local theaters through the film’s website, www.wearebatman.com.
The filmmaker’s proceeds from the screening will benefit a local charity.
Screenings are being held all around the country and are set up through Tugg.com.
Young has scheduled a showing of the documentary at 6:30 p.m. May 1 at AMC Showplace 4 Theater in Farmington, with proceeds going to the Muscular Dystrophy Association to honor her friend.
“The message behind the movie is something I thought Eric would love. It worked very well together,” Young said. “When I saw there was a chance to do it, I jumped on it.”
Ticket sales began March 29 and can be purchased through the link http://www.tugg.com/events/8559.
Young said she needs to sell 67 tickets for the movie to be shown at the theater.
Friends have told Young they intend to purchase tickets and that they are encouraging others to as well.
Young said Eric is still with her every day. She had a tattoo of a bird with Eric’s name on her right arm — her first and “my favorite,” she said. She would later add the word “strength” in honor of her friend.
“I can see it every day and is serves as a source of strength,” she said.
“The message behind the movie is something I thought Eric would love.” — Angel Young
A Park Hills woman is honoring the memory of a childhood friend with a screening of the documentary, “Legends of the Knight” at 6:30 p.m. May 1 at AMC Showplace 4 theater in Farmington. Proceeds from ticket sales for the screening will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Eric Skaggs was a childhood friend of Angel Young. She looks to honor his memory-and their love of superheros-with a screening of “Legends of the Knight.”
Angel Young looks to the tattoo containing the name of her friend, Eric, as a source of strength and inspiration.
Shawnna Robinson is the managing editor for the Farmington Press and a reporter for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 575-756-8927 or srobinson@farmingtonpressonline.com
