Pro Skateboarding Legend Andy Macdonald Hosts "STR8 TLK" Program At Six New Hampshire Schools

WOBURN, MA — Students from six (6) New Hampshire elementary, middle and high schools will this week participate in a motivational program hosted by Andy Macdonald, the world's top-ranked professional vert skateboarder. Macdonald will share important messages about education, goal-setting and being drug-free.

Through the "STR8 TLK" program sponsored by Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, Macdonald will tour Dover Middle School, Dover High School, Greenland Central School, Seabrook Elementary, Seabrook Middle School, and Rye Junior High School. In addition, Macdonald will make an appearance Saturday morning at the Rye Airfield skate park, during which he will host a private skate, skate board demonstration, and sign autographs for fans. (Editors: 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 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.

"Part of our overall corporate philosophy is to give back to the communities in which our employees and customers reside," said Verizon Wireless New England Region President Ken Dixon. "'STR8 TLK' 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.

Weekend Skateboarding Event in Rye
After hosting the "STR8 TLK" program assembly series, Andy Macdonald will join fellow skaters, friends and family on Saturday morning at Rye Airfield Skate Park. Six students hand-picked by the principal of each participating school — along with a friend of their choosing — will join Andy for a private skate lesson, where he will demonstrate the difficult maneuvers that catapulted him to the position of world champion skateboarder, and sign autographs.

"'STR8 TLK' with Andy Macdonald" will be presented as follows:
Wednesday, May 30
9:15 am — 10:15 am Dover Middle School (Dover, NH)
12:30 pm — 1:30 pm Greenland (Greenland, NH)

Thursday, May 31
11:15 am — 12:15 pm Seabrook Elementary School (Seabrook, NH)
1:00 pm — 2:15 pm Seabrook Middle School (Seabrook, NH)

Friday, June 1
9:30 am — 10:30 am Dover High School (Dover, NH)
1:15 pm — 2:15 pm Rye Junior High School (Rye, NH)

Saturday, June 2
9:00 am — 11:30 pm Rye Airfield Skate Park (Rye, NH)

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 60.7 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 66,000 employees nationwide. The company 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.  

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.  

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