NEWS RELEASE

SUBJECT: April 3-10, 2006 is Declared Winning Choices Week in Montgomery County Public Schools

The week of April 3 – April 10, 2006 has been identified as Winning Choices Week for youth in Montgomery County Public Schools. The purpose of Winning Choices Week is to inspire and encourage students to strive to exemplify good character and leadership skills in their daily lives during the year. As part of Winning Choices Week, a Winning Choices Day is being sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools, in conjunction with the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, the Virginia Tech Athletic Department, and the local Rotary Clubs on April 10, 2006 at the Inn at Virginia Tech (Skelton Conference Center) in Blacksburg from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Rotary Clubs sponsor a Winning Choices essay contest and award U. S. Savings Bonds to all winners. A winner is selected at every school with an overall winner selected as well. According to one of the Rotary representatives, the essays were the best he has seen since the program began.  There was a four-way tie at the elementary level and a two-way tie at the high school level. All of the middle and high school winners are scheduled to attend the Winning Choices Day. All students attending the event will be presented with a copy of John McCain’s book Character is Destiny, compliments of Rev. Ben & Barbara Holstein. The elementary students will be recognized at individual school assemblies throughout the week.

The speakers for the Winning Choices Day program for the middle and high school students include:

Jeff Yalden, a certified public speaker, who was in the U. S. Marines and was selected as "Marine of the Year" twice.  Following his military service, he became a high school teacher and coached soccer and basketball.  Because of Jeff's commitment to youth, MTV selected him to appear as "Life Coach" on MTV's hit program MADE.  Jeff is also a noted author, contributing to The New York Times and the best selling book A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul.  Jeff co-authored Lead Now or Step Aside and has published four books of his own.

Captain Jennifer Amato, Virginia Tech Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Commandant of Cadets for Air Force ROTC Det 875 (Virginia Tech), and U. S. Air Force "Instructor of the Year 2005."  

Virginia Tech Head Wrestling Coach Tom Brands who is a three-time NCAA national champion and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist. 

Kristi Glakas, Miss Virginia 2005-2006, who is a Triple Crown winner and one of only six contestants to hold state titles for Miss Teen USA, Miss USA and Miss America. Glakas’ platform as Miss Virginia in the Miss America pageant was “Life Skills: Enabling America’s Youth to Achieve Excellence.” She is involved in numerous organizations that advocate for disadvantaged children and is currently finishing premed studies at George Mason University.

Carol Crawford-Smith, a world-class dancer formerly with the internationally renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem and educator of dance for more than 27 years. Carol is currently the owner of The Center of Dance in Blacksburg and recently received a new home thanks to Extreme Makeover - Home Edition. Carol will be presenting the Opening Challenge.

Jacqueline Nicholson, a graduate student at Virginia Tech who is pursuing a master's in educational leadership and policy studies, will be giving the Thought for the Day.  While attending Virginia Tech, Jacqueline was on the indoor and outdoor track teams and was named to the All-ACC Academic Team.

Following are local businesses and organizations that have contributed monetarily to this very worthwhile program.

Appalachian Power Co. - Roanoke

BB&T

L. A. Bowman

Brown Insurance

Stephen Buck

CCS-Inc.

Gail Cook-DeVilbiss, Attorney

Farmland Equipment Corporation

First Bank & Trust Company

First National Bank

Gregg, Howard, & Boyle, Ltd.

Rev. Ben & Barbara Holstein

H H Hunt, Inc.

The Kroger Company

Jim & Sue McAlister

McNeil Real Estate

Montgomery County Public Schools

MOOG Components Group

The National Bank

New River Office Supply

Newman’s Pharmacy

Notre Dame Club of the Blue Ridge

Pizza Inn

Rotary Club of Blacksburg

Rotary Club of Christiansburg

Rotary Club of Christiansburg-Blacksburg

Rotary Club of Montgomery County

Walt & Holly Shannon

Shawsville Pharmacy

Sisson & Ryan, Inc.

Virginia Tech Athletic Department

Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets

Wal-Mart of Christiansburg

Wheatland Retirement Communities