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D.C. MAYOR VINCENT C. GRAY AND MISS AMERICA 2012 JOIN FORCES TO TALK TO D.C. YOUTH ABOUT OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

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 D.C. MAYOR VINCENT C. GRAY AND MISS AMERICA 2012 JOIN FORCES TO TALK TO D.C. YOUTH ABOUT OVERCOMING OBSTACLES 

Celebrities, Professional Athletes and Local Leaders Join Tour Aimed at Teaching Success to D.C. Area High School Students

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 11, 2012 – D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Laura Kaeppeler, Miss America 2012, are among a list of participants joining The Michael Walton Foundation’s 10th annual ‘Speak Out to Reach Out’ tour, which aims to decrease school drop-out rates, raise test scores and boost self-esteem of D.C. area students.

The ‘Speak Out to Reach Out’ tour brings together celebrities, professional athletes and community leaders to talk to D.C. area high school students about their journeys to success, overcoming obstacles, and accomplishing goals. The tour is a flagship program of The Michael Walton Foundation, an organization that provides positive outlets for youth and young adults through creative programs and services.

“An important part of ensuring the success of young people in the District is by providing them with positive role models who have overcome their own obstacles to achieve their goals,” says D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “Organizations like the Michael Walton Foundation are helping teach our young people that they can be the leaders of the future and that anything is possible through hard work and dedication.”

“Sometimes children need to hear that other people believe in them in order for them to believe in themselves,” says Laura Kaeppeler, Miss America 2012.  “We’re here to talk to these kids to encourage them to never give up, be themselves and dream big.”

Other speakers include Leigh Bodden, NFL Free Agent Cornerback; Eleanor Holmes Norton, Congresswoman (D-DC); Jorge Andrés, ESPN Broadcast Anchor; Raheem DeVaughn, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter; Michelle Koplitz, Miss Deaf USA 2010; and Michael Walton, World Class Sprinter and founder of the Michael Walton Foundation.

“Our goal is to help give kids a sense of hope and direction,” explains Michael Walton. “A lot of young people see the finished product, but don’t realize all the hard work that went into getting there. When they hear life stories from someone like Leigh Bodden or Laura Kaeppeler, kids realize that they’ve shared the same struggles, but that the right decisions and hard work are what will separate them from their peers. It shows young people that their dreams can be a reality.”

This year’s ‘Speak Out to Reach Out’ tour kick off will take place from 9:00-10:45 AM, December 11, 2012, at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Northeast D.C. It is part of the school’s Male/Female Forum, a daylong, youth empowerment event that offers over 40 workshops  primarily from Washington DC based community organizations on life skills, college access and career opportunities.  This year’s theme is “It’s About More Than Just Me!”

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About The Michael Walton Foundation

The Michael Walton Foundation is an organization that provides creative outlets for youth development. Its goal is to foster leadership skills and behaviors in young people by helping them to identify and cultivate their talents, set goals, and make informed career choices.  Founded in 2002, this premier youth-empowerment organization in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area endeavors to increase academic performance, decrease drop-out rates, support more applicants to colleges and universities and increase self-esteem. www.michaelwaltonfoundation.org

 

 

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