Pro Skateboarding Legend Andy MacDonald Hosts "STR8 TLK" Program At Four Hudson Valley Schools

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Students from four Hudson Valley middle schools will 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 Verizon Wireless “STR8 TLK” program, Macdonald will visit Dover Middle School, S.S. Seward Institute, Crispell Middle School and Monroe Woodbury Middle School this Thursday through Friday. On Saturday, selected students from each of the four STR8 TLK program schools will join Andy at Drop-In Skatepark in Hillburn 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.

(Editors: Please see schedule at end of release.)

“We feel strongly at Verizon Wireless that it is critical to give back to the communities in which our employees and customers live,” said Marquette Smith, president of Verizon Wireless’ Upstate New York Region. “‘STR8 TLK’ contains important messages for young adults and Verizon Wireless is pleased to have Andy as a part of this program.”

An eight-time World Cup Skateboarding Champion and X-Games gold medalist, Macdonald is known around the country and 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 mac™ products including footwear, skateboards, helmets and pads, and appears in “MTV Skateboarding featuring Andy Macdonald” video game from THQ.

“STR8 TLK” with Andy Macdonald” will be presented as follows:

Thursday, October 23rd
9:00 a.m. Dover Middle School (Dover Plains, NY)
1:00 p.m. S.S. Seward Institute (Florida, NY)

Friday, October 24th
8:30 a.m. Crispell Middle School (Pine Bush, NY)
1:45 p.m. Monroe Woodbury Middle School (Central Valley, NY)

Saturday, October 25th
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. “An Afternoon of Skating with Andy Macdonald” (Drop-In Skatepark, Hillburn, NY)

Editor’s Note: To arrange an interview with Andy Macdonald or a member of Verizon Wireless, please contact John O'Malley at 585-321-7264 or John.OMalley@verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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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