A kick-off pep rally featuring radio personality Rock T of 97.9 The Beat was held November 13 at Pinkston High School in West Dallas to celebrate the expansion. The Pinkston band and cheerleaders provided entertainment, along with Dallas Mavericks mascot Champ. Special guests included Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert; TV personality and philanthropist Pat Smith; designer Brad Oldham; DISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa and Mix 102.9 FM morning show host Victoria Snee.
“The first-year success of the program was overwhelming,” said Ben Lawson, Director of Independent Bottlers for Coca-Cola North America. “The only way to improve upon it is to assist more teens in reaching their goals. We are proud to include many more students in this school year, which means more lives elevated and, hopefully, inspiration for a lifetime.”
Dallas Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola was launched in 2008 through partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and Heart of a Champion, a non-profit character development organization based in Colleyville. Producing measurable results and outcomes allows program administrators to evaluate effectiveness, separating Dallas Elevators from other programs that anecdotally discuss change but can’t prove their effectiveness. Year-end results from the program’s inaugural year showed that by the end of the program: · 92% of students considered their performance at school to be 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% graduation rate from high school, with most going on to college or professional schools.
Last summer, the U.S. Congress called upon the expertise of Heart of a Champion Founder Steve Riach, who testified about the efforts of measurable programs like Dallas Elevators to positively impact the lives of teens. For more than a decade, the program has produced measurable success in schools and after-school outlets around the nation. A critical component of the Dallas Elevators Powered by Coca-Cola program is the participation of local leaders who serve as Role Models and offer select students shadowing experiences based on a shared area of interest.
Role Models this year include: Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, DISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa, radio personality Victoria Snee, TV personality and philanthropist Pat Smith; designer and sculptor Brad Oldham; Dallas Stars Center Mike Modano; Dallas Mavericks President Terdema Ussery; and Basketball Hall of Famer and commentator Nancy Lieberman.
These unique learning opportunities have taken students from behind-the-scenes at a Dallas Stars game with Mike Modano to appearing on a popular Dallas radio station with Victoria Snee, and from cooking in a five-star kitchen with Chef Felipe Gaytan to learning more about the business world from Roger Staubach.
Recent student experiences have ranged from observing surgery with a Lake Highlands veterinarian to afternoon rounds with a Garland doctor, and from an opportunity in the kitchen with renowned caterer Wendy Krispin to an on-air experience with KLTY-FM radio personality Starlene Stringer.
“We want to show these students the world of career possibilities that are open to them,” explained Lawson. "Last year, we had experiences from professionals in real estate, law enforcement, engineering and many others. As we are expanding the program, we need more business and community leaders to step up and offer experiences for these bright young people. 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 Dallas Elevators participants should email carolyn@aardvarktx.com with “Dallas Elevators” in the subject line.
Interested high school students should check with the nearest Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, which includes clubs in Dallas, Mesquite, Richardson, Coppell and Grand Prairie.
More information at www.dallaselevators.com.
