“Catch Me If You Can” is one of my favorite Broadway musicals. It’s about the story of Frank Abagnale, a man who impersonated a pilot, doctor, lawyer and more, without ever finishing high school. I love singing the song “Fly, Fly Away,” which is sung by Abagnale’s love interest, Brenda. She acknowledges the false identity he presents to the world but sees his true self.
In real life, despite committing more than $2 million in fraud, Abagnale is respected as an authority and public speaker on cybercrime and identity theft. His story is further celebrated through a Steven Spielberg film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. That story, full of charm and the idea of building yourself up, has always stuck with me.
Just over two months ago, news broke that Dr. Ian Roberts, then superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, had been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Although I live in Iowa City, Roberts wasn’t a stranger to me. Last year, my mom showed me a social media post of him, a former Olympian, racing against elementary students on the track. It was heartwarming to see a minority leader in a position of influence. Knowing the Des Moines schools had a Black superintendent felt encouraging as a student who values representation…