NEWS

from the Peoria Unified School District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2004

Contact: Jim Cummings, APR

Fax: 623-486-6096

PUSD NATIONAL ACADEMY FOUNDATION

HOSTS LOCAL CONFERENCE

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) will host its inaugural National Academy Foundation (NAF) Student Conference Monday, March 29, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Black Canyon Conference Center, 9440 N. 25^th Avenue in Phoenix. The event is an educational leadership summit for approximately 150 NAF students from the three academy programs in all five PUSD high schools.

During the day, students from National Academies of Finance, Travel and Tourism and Information Technology will participate in a series of breakout sessions facilitated by several guest speakers. Speakers include Theresa Garcia, CEO of Trust, Leadership and Growth; David Rothschild of Eatiquette; Manny Burrul of Franklin Covey; Manny Padilla of ASU; Sharon LaVoy, high school presenter for Scottsdale Culinary Institute; and John Mulcahy, PUSD Director of the Career and Technical Education. The sessions will involve teambuilding activities, leadership training and career instruction. The students will also hear from keynote speaker Rhett Laubach.

NAF Advisor Tim Langan says the opportunity provides the students a single forum in which they can explore ideas and enhance their knowledge through a series of seminars delivered by professionals in Academy disciplines. “This is a collaborative effort of all high schools working under the same advisory board to offer a great educational experience for the NAF kids,” he said.

The National Academy Foundation is a program that prepares high school students for careers in travel and tourism, finance, and technology through the incorporation of classroom study and internships with local businesses.

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Peoria Unified School District Office of Public Relations

Jim Cummings, APR, Director

P.O. Box 39, Peoria, Ariz. 85380-0039

623-486-6040