Pro Skateboarding Legend Andy Macdonald Hosts “STR8TLK” Program At Six Massachusetts Schools

Verizon Wireless Sponsors Tour Highlighting Education and Goal Setting

09/19/2006 - WOBURN, MA — Students from six Massachusetts middle and high schools will this week participate in a motivational program hosted by Andy Macdonald, the world’s top-ranked professional skateboarder, who will share important messages about education, goal-setting and being drug-free.

Through the “STR8TLK” program sponsored by Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, Macdonald will tour Saugus High School, Georgetown Middle School, Masconomet Middle School (Topsfield), Swampscott Middle School, Rupert A. Nock Middle School (Newburyport) and Newton North High School, from which Andy graduated in 1992. (Editors: Please see schedule at end of release.)

Eight-time World Cup Skateboarding Champion Andy Macdonald is known around the country and around the world not only for his talents on a skateboard, but also for the way he conducts his business and his life. His determination to reach the pinnacle of professional skateboarding, as well as his “lead by example” anti-drug approach and his commitment to youth reading programs, has made him a role model for today’s youth and led him to be recognized by former President Clinton, among others.

Beyond skateboarding, Andy has written an autobiography, “Dropping In with Andy Mac, The Life of a Pro Skateboarder,” has launched andy macTM products including footwear, skateboards, helmets and pads, and appears in “MTV Skateboarding featuring Andy Macdonald” video game from THQ.

“Part of our overall corporate philosophy is to give back to the communities in which our employees and customers live,” said New England Region President Bob Stott. “‘STR8TLK’ contains important messages for young adults and Verizon Wireless is pleased to have Andy as a part of this program.”

Macdonald is an eight-time X-Games gold medalist who has set a Guinness World Record for his skateboard ramp jump of almost 57 feet. And, his image has been published on a U.S. postage stamp.

Afterschool Events Combine Skating with Devotion

After presenting his educational ‘STR8TLK’ program at his high school alma mater on Wednesday, September 20th, Macdonald will travel to East Boston for a ‘clean-up’ at Umana/Barnes Middle School which is home to its very own skatepark.

Skaters, friends and family are invited to show up with broom and dustpan in hand to clean-up the surrounding skate area for burgeoning skateboarding champions! After the clean-up, Andy will welcome five skaters hand-picked by the principal of Umana/Barnes Middle School for a private skate lesson, after which he will partake in an open skatefest, sign autographs and hand out prizes to those individuals that work the hardest.

After hosting the STR8TLK program assembly on Thursday, September 21st, students selected by the principal of each of the six (6) STR8TLK program schools will join Andy at the Newburyport Skatepark for a private skate lesson, followed by an open skate with Andy during which he will demonstrate the difficult maneuvers that have catapulted him as a world champion skateboarder.

“STR8TLK” with Andy Macdonald” will be presented as follows:

Wednesday, September 20
9:30 a.m. Saugus High School (Saugus, Mass.)
2:00 p.m. Newton North High School (Newtonville, Mass.)
4:00 – 6:30 p.m. Umana/Barnes Middle School (“Harborside Skatepark Tune-Up with Andy Macdonald”; East Boston, Mass.)

Thursday, September 21
9:00 a.m Georgetown Middle School (Georgetown, Mass.)
1:00 p.m. Swampscott Middle School (Swampscott, Mass.)
4:00 – 7:00 p.m. “An Afternoon of Skating with Andy Macdonald” (Newburyport Skatepark; Rupert A Nock Middle School/Newburyport)

Friday, September 22
9:00 a.m. Masconomet Middle School (Topsfield, Mass.)
1:00 p.m. Rupert A. Nock Middle School (Newburyport, Mass.)

Editor’s Note: To arrange an interview with Andy Macdonald or a member of Verizon Wireless, please contact Wendy Bulawa at 617.851.3426; wendy@thomsoncommunications.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation’s most reliable wireless network, serving 54.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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