Innovative Teen Program Kicks Off to Elevate OKC Students
OKC Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola to benefit students with proven character-building and experiential learning program [download pdf]
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 27, 2010) A new program to elevate the lives of students kicked off Jan. 27 at Oklahoma Centennial Mid-High School with a high-energy pep rally led by radio host Rock T from the “Ricky Smiley Morning Show.” OKC Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola will help more than 10,000 students at local public schools through a character-building program proven to lower dropout rates and raise students’ confidence.
“We are excited to have a program in Oklahoma City that has the potential to directly impact the lives of our students,” said Mayor Mick Cornett. “Having the generous support of Coca-Cola allows us to enrich students’ development and experiences.”
The OKC Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola learning modules utilize the acclaimed Heart of a Champion curriculum, which has proven to be successful for the past four years with Oklahoma City middle school students. That initiative, which was launched in 2006 as part of a plan sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, will be incorporated into the OKC Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola program and deployed to more than 10,000 students at a dozen middle schools and high schools.
“OKC Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola has the power to change students’ lives,” said Ben Lawson, director of community development with Coca-Cola of North America. “We are proud to be including students in Oklahoma City this year, which means more lives elevated and, hopefully, inspiration for a lifetime.”
The Heart of a Champion curriculum has been proven to change lives with students from a variety of cultural, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds. Based on empirical, measurable data, it is the program of choice for organizations from inner-city youth programs to corporate boardrooms across the country. This comprehensive program teaches and reinforces positive character traits while incorporating critical thinking exercises and demonstrating examples of individuals with high character.
"We believe in the ability of Heart of a Champion Foundation to positively and powerfully impact America's youth,” said Robert A. Funk, chairman and CEO of Express Employment Professionals, who also is a Role Model in the OKC Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola program.
OKC Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola is modeled on a program pioneered in Dallas in the 2008-2009 school year through partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and Heart of a Champion. Year-end results from the program’s inaugural year showed:
• 92% of students considered their school performance above average to very good
• 22% increase in the student’s ability to communicate with their parents
• 16% increase in students who consider themselves to be good examples
• 18% increase in the student’s motivation to succeed
• 12% increase in belief that they can now reach their goals
• 15% decrease in cheating
• 100% high school graduation rate, with most going on to college.
A critical component of the program is the participation of Oklahoma City leaders who will serve as Role Models and offer select students impactful, experiential learning based on a shared area of interest. Role Models include: Mayor Cornett; OKCPS Superintendent Karl Springer; Anita Blanton, KOCO-TV Channel 5; Bob Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals; and Stephan Moore, director of Camp Shiloh.
Select students in the OKC Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola program will have the opportunity to participate in once-in-a-lifetime experiences that can take students from behind-the-scenes at a professional basketball game to appearing on a local radio or TV station to cooking in a five-star restaurant with a top chef. Experiences will be tailored to the student’s area of interest, and are meant to inspire them to reach their dreams.
“We have received commitments from many prominent business and community leaders to assist in inspiring these bright young people, and we are always looking for more,” explained Lawson. “It takes so little time -- just two or three hours for a one-time experience -- but it can significantly impact a teen’s future.”
Companies or individuals interested in offering one-time career model experiences for OKC Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola participants should email carolyn@aardvarktx.com with “OKC Elevators” in the subject line or click here.
