Pro Skateboarding Legend Andy Macdonald Hosts "STR8 TLK" Program At Monmouth Middle Schools

MORRISTOWN, NJ — This week, students from two local 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 Thorne Middle School in Port Monmouth at 10 a.m. and Hazlet Middle School at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. Macdonald is planning on visiting three other middle schools in New Jersey and one in Rockland County, N.Y., during the week. On Saturday, Dec. 1, students selected by the principal of each of the six "STR8 TLK" program schools will join Andy at Drop In Skatepark in Hillburn, N.Y., 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. Both the demonstration and the autograph signing session that will follow are open to the public.

"At Verizon Wireless, we feel strongly that it is critical to give back to the communities in which our employees and customers live," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro region. 'STR8 TLK' contains important messages for young adults and we are 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, have 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.

Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Andy Macdonald or a member of Verizon Wireless, please contact Kim Ancin at 845-429-3839 or kimberly.ancin@vivivianipr.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 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.

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