[Archived] Will You Walk the Walk with Project Discovery?...


News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:	Friday, September 18, 1998
Contact:	Suzanne Kratzok or Carol Scates (703) 838-0915 - office (703) 548-6084 - home

Will You Walk the Walk with Project Discovery?...
Community Plans Fundraiser for College-Bound Teens

The Advisory Board of Project Discovery - Alexandria announces the 3rd annual WALK for the FUTURE: Taking the Right Steps for College. This Walkathon, to benefit Project Discovery, a program for low income teens who are the first members of their families to have the opportunity to attend college, takes place on Saturday, September 26, 1998, at 10:00 A.M., beginning at the Minnie Howard School lower parking lot (3801 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria) and continuing to Fort Ward Park. The distance is approximately 1 mile and the WALK culminates at a free celebration picnic at Fort Ward. Serving as Honorary Chairperson is KEITH BURNS, Denver Broncos Superbowl star and a graduate of T.C. Williams High School and Project Discovery.

The WALK for the FUTURE will bring together students, parents, teachers, and community and business leaders to raise money for educational and culturally-enriching activities for the 130 young people who participate in the program each year. Each walker is encouraged to solicit contributions to support the WALK for the FUTURE. All contributions are tax deductible. Prizes will be awarded to the highest fundraisers and in a raffle drawing after the WALK.

Project Discovery has been operated for 13 years by the Alexandria Department of Human Services with the enthusiastic cooperation of the Alexandria City Public Schools. 1000 students have participated over the years. Through workshops, trips to local and out-of-town colleges and culturally-enriching experiences, students learn how to set and achieve educational goals, how to select a college, how to apply to college, how to get financial aid, and how to manage their time and improve their study skills. Graduates of the program have attended and graduated from such schools as the University of Virginia, Howard, Old Dominion, Norfolk State, Virginia State, Georgetown, George Washington, the University of Maryland, Northern Virginia Community College and many others. Of the participants who graduated from high school in the Class of 1998, 88% report that they will attend a 2-year or 4-year college or technical school.

Major sponsors of the WALK for the FUTURE include Bell Atlantic, Wm. D. Euille & Associates, Inc., the Society for Human Resource Management, Jones Communications, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Wheat First Union Securities and Coca Cola Enterprises.

For more information and to register or volunteer for the WALK for the FUTURE: Taking the Right Steps for College call (703) 838-0901.