Akron, Ohio News Release: CITY RUNS WITH AKRON OLYMPIAN’S NEW AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

Akron, Ohio News Release...

CITY RUNS WITH AKRON OLYMPIAN’S NEW AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM


City of Akron	166 S. High Street · Akron, Ohio 44308 (330)-375-2538 · Fax: (330)-375-2335
For Immediate Release
Date: Contact:	October 12, 2001 Mark Williamson (willima@ci.akron.oh.us)

Mayor Don Plusquellic with Olympic gold medalist Butch Reynolds of Akron.

Olympic gold medallist and world-record holder Butch Reynolds is working with the City of Akron to establish another new after-school program for Akron Public School students. Mayor Don Plusquellic made the announcement today at his weekly news conference. It is the second new after-school program to be announced in the past three weeks. On September 20, the mayor announced a pilot program the City would be operating at four Akron elementary schools.

Reynolds, an Akron native, joined the mayor at his news conference today and told reporters that his foundation, the Butch Reynolds Care for Kids Foundation will organize its own after-school program for children in

Southeast Akron, with a vision to eventually incorporate into schools throughout the system. Butch Reynolds grew up in Akron and attended Goodrich Junior High School. He is a double world record holder and a three-time Olympian who won both gold and silver medals. Mr. Reynolds has returned home to develop this program through his foundation.

Reynolds’ after-school program’s purpose is designed for third, fourth and fifth graders and will begin in Robinson Academy, David Hill and Glover elementary schools. It will focus on five areas: academics, physical conditioning, health, life skills and computer training. Reynolds says students will attend the program three afternoons per week, and activities each day will be divided between classroom meetings and recreational activities. As the program develops, it will be expanded to the other high school clusters in the Akron Public School system.

"This after-school program will combine caring mentors and challenging activities that help foster a sense of achievement and motivate young people to excel," Reynolds said this morning.

There will be three ten-week sessions involving more than 150 students from the three schools will also stress the importance of a positive attitude. Mayor Don Plusquellic said today he can’t think of a better person to organize such a project, "Our young people look up to Butch Reynolds as a positive role model, an exemplary person. His attitude and knowledge will provide these students with a meaningful experience that can make a material difference in their lives and in their future," Mayor Plusquellic said.

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