I WILL SOAR
A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT COURAGE & FOOTBALL
Jane Swanko, an author, producer and motivational speaker was invited to talk to Atlantic Community High School’s football team in the Summer of 2017. She volunteers and works with the graduating seniors on etiquette as well as transitioning them to college. Swanko teamed with award-winning cinematographer, John Sturdy and filmed the documentary in true cinéma verité, allowing those involved with the program to tell the story of the team’s success both on and off field. It took Swanko and Sturdy three years to complete the project having been forced to shut down production due to Covid. After months working via Skype to edit the project, “I Will Soar” had a private screening at iPic (Delray Beach) and was well-received by those in attendance as well as a variety of news outlets who covered the Red-Carpet event.
If you have any questions or need more information, please e-mail asst@iwillsoarthedocumentary.com
Jane Swanko was raised in Coral Gables, Florida. She was a Nationally Ranked Water Polo Player representing the State of Florida in 1975. Following the A-Team’s win at Nationals, Jane appeared with her teammates on the Mike Douglas Show filmed at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach. Jane was Captain of her high school’s girls’ water polo team and won the State Championship. She was named The Miami Herald’s Player of the Week, MVP and won All American, All City and All State honors.
Jane earned her BA degree from the University of Miami while covering the legal beat for Miami’s Community Newspapers. She started Jane Swanko Marketing & Media representing judges, attorneys and professional athletes. She went on to write three Pilots and was represented by then William Morris in LA, CA. Jane was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami School of Business teaching Sports Marketing. Jane authored “Just Ask” in 2005 and “Just Ask” Second Edition in 2007. She produced special features for Miami’s WSVN/Channel 7. Jane continues to speak on the circuit.
Contact Jane at janies@iwillsoarthedocumentary.com
John Sturdy is the Director of Photography for The Sturdy Group. He was born and raised in Providence, RI and attended film school in Maine. John is an award-winning cinematographer and has filmed more than 300 non-scripted documentaries in the 30-plus years he has worked in the non-scripted documentary genre. He has filmed world-wide on four continents for most of the major networks and cable outlets. John won three Tellys and had the honor of working on a United Kingdom documentary for the UK market which garnered him an RTS for the “Best TV Show” in the Royal Television Society of London. John is currently filming for Discovery Communications.
Contact John at jsturdy@iwillsoarthedocumentary.com
Coach TJ Jackson was raised in Delray Beach, Florida and a highly sought-after recruit. He was Player of the Year in Palm Beach County when he graduated from Olympic Heights High School. He was the #16 Player in Florida and earned a football scholarship and a business degree from Virginia Tech. After a brief stint with the NFL, Coach Jackson became the head coach of Atlantic Community High School’s fledgling football program in 2012 and stayed until March 2021 to become a secondary D-line Coach at Charleston Southern.
While at Atlantic, the Eagles were District Champions from 2014-2020 and Coach Jackson was named Sun-Sentinel’s Coach of the Year in 2015 & 2020. In 2015 & 2017, Coach Jackson was Palm Beach County Coach of the Year (Miami Dolphins Organization) and nominated in 2015-2020 for Coach of the Year/Lou Groza and won Coach of the Year/Lou Groza Palm Beach County Sports Commission in 2015. In 2017, Coach Jackson led the Eagles to the Class 7A State Runner-up and in 2020, the Eagles were the Tri-County Class 7A Gold Bracket Champions. In 2018, the Atlantic Eagles were Palm Beach County High School’s Team of the Year.
For speaking engagements or guest appearances, please email Coach Jackson at asst@iwillsoarthedocumentary.com