Pro Skateboarding Legend Andy Macdonald Hosts "STR8TLK" Program At Five Capital Region Schools

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ALBANY, NY — Students from five Albany-area middle and high 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 "STR8TLK" program sponsored by Verizon Wireless, Macdonald will visit Ravena High School, Lisha Kill Middle School in Albany, CA Bouton High School in Voorheesville, Guilderland High School, and Cohoes Middle School this Wednesday through Friday. On Saturday, students selected by the principal of each of the five "STR8TLK" program schools will join Andy at The Shelter Skate Park in Albany 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 Ken Dixon, president of Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York Region. "'STR8TLK' 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.

"STR8TLK" with Andy Macdonald" will be presented as follows:

Wednesday, November 1
1:00 p.m. Ravena High School (Ravena)

Thursday, November 2
9:30 a.m. Lisha Kill Middle School (Albany)

1:00 p.m. CA Bouton High School (Voorheesville)

Friday, November 3
9:30 a.m. Guilderland High School (Guilderland)

1:00 p.m. Cohoes Middle School (Cohoes)

Saturday, November 4
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. "An Afternoon of Skating with Andy Macdonald" (The Shelter Skate Park, 35 Commerce Avenue, Albany)

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; john.omalley@verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 56.7 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., 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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