Atlanta-based Nonprofit Organization Recognize Five Local High School Seniors with Scholarships

May 27, 2008 - PRLog -- Georgia ranks third to last, with a high school graduation rate of 56.1 percent – according a 2007 educational report. The report also stated that the average American without a high school diploma earns an annual salary of $19,365 and has a 58 percent chance of having steady employment, according to Diplomas Count. However, a person who completed high school and some post-secondary education can anticipate average earnings of $33,363 with a 68 percent chance of steady, lifetime employment.

Jennifer Toussaint, executive director of Teach One Academy is proud to award five local high school students with a $1,000 scholarship towards a college education, aiding them towards a lifetime of steady employment. Toussaint says, “It takes a village to raise a child” - the impetus for Teach One Academy and we’re honored to be in a position to support these outstanding youth.”

Teach One Academy will hold an annual scholarship fundraiser that will award up to five local high school seniors with scholarships each year via an essay contest to go towards their first year of college. The five high school seniors selected to receive scholarships this year are:

Evan McCullough, Therrell High School (Atlanta)
Sophie Winkler, Alan C Pope High School (Marietta)
Stacey Walkup, Kell High School  (Marietta)
Charde Brianna Woods, Stephenson High School, (Stone Mountain) Boys & Girls Club
Member
Lance T Manley, North Springs High School (Atlanta), Boys & Girls Club Member

Founder and Executive Director, Jennifer Toussaint shares, "In our current society, the youths of today and leaders of tomorrow have so many distractions and face various challenges.  We have to collaborate as a community to make educating our youths the focus. Teach One Academy is honored to have this tremendous opportunity and we ask local businesses and community leaders to help us to continue this positive trend.”

Business and community leaders, Tyreal Lewis (CEO, The R Group and founder of Real Street Kids Foundation), and Yakita Wilkinson, (co-founder of Y? Events) served on the scholarship selection committee that selected the winners. "We all know that knowledge is power, and what better way to enhance the lives of our students today than motivating and encouraging them to continue to pursue their education.” Tyreal Lewis continues, “I appreciate the work that Ms. Toussaint and Teach One Academy is doing within our community to assist these college-bound students in pursuing their dreams.”

Strategic partnerships with businesses such as The Boys and Girls Club of Atlanta and The Alpharetta Rotary Club made it possible for Teach One Academy to provide scholarships to these deserving students.  

Teach One Academy will launch its 529 educational community sponsored savings plan in partnership with AXA Financial in the Fall of 2008 as part of its program, “Watch me Excel” ™, designed to assist college bound students in financing their college careers.  

Teach One Academy is encouraging local businesses and community leaders to assist in helping to enrich the lives of Atlanta-area youth through monetary donations allowing them to continue to make financial aid available to youth who desire to get a college education but may not have the financial support to make it a reality. All donations and contributions are tax-deductible. For more information, please contact Jennifer Toussaint at 678.215.3475 or teachone@teachoneacademy.com .

About Teach One Academy
Teach One Academy College Freshman Scholarship is sponsored by Teach One Academy, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) community-based organization, whose mission is to M.otivate, E.ducate, E.mpower (MEE) those of our community, specifically children and adults. We believe that all the possibilities of the world are within each of us.  As such, we are committed to the following motto:  Each One. Reach One. Teach One. http://www.teachoneacademy.com

# # #

We are a full service Public Relations firm headquartered in Atlanta with over 10 years of experience in communications, marketing, strategy and positioning - serving clients nationally. We specialize in email marketing campaigns, brand strategy and positioning, marketing collateral and business consulting. For more information, please visit us @ http://www.thewritestylzprfirm.com

Website: www.thewritestylzprfirm.com