ORLANDO, Fla., July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- There is only one thing Teen Trendsetters™ might possibly like more than mentoring, and that is talking on a wireless phone! In recognition of the positive difference these young leaders are making in the lives of children throughout Florida, Cingular Wireless will donate GoPhones to all 250 of the 2006-2007 Teen Trendsetters™ on July 28 during the Grand Finale Luncheon with Governor Jeb Bush at the Fifth Annual Teen Trendsetters™ Reading Mentors Summit being held at the Wyndham Orlando Resort.
Teen Trendsetters™ began in 2002, through the partnership of Florida Trend's NEXT magazine for teens and nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation. VFF manages the Florida Mentoring Partnership, of which the Teen Trendsetters™ Reading Mentors program is a part. The program provides training and support to selected teen leaders who recruit classmates to help them mentor elementary students in reading.
"We realize the impact education has on a person's quality of life, as well as on our community and society," said Rudy Hermond, vice president and general manager for Cingular's Central, West and North Florida markets. "The young adults participating in the Teen Trendsetters program are more than just mentors to younger students; they are role models, a glimpse of what the future could hold for them."
In addition to the $15,000 phone donation, Cingular is a Diamond Sponsor for the Fifth Annual Teen Trendsetters™ Reading Mentors Summit. During the two day summit, the teen volunteers learn ways to make reading a fun part of children's lives and learn how to get the program started in their hometowns.
About the Teen Trendsetters™ Reading Mentors Program
Volunteer Florida Foundation, in partnership with Florida Trend's NEXT magazine for teens, developed and launched the Teen Trendsetters™ Reading Mentors program in 2002. The Trendsetters program recruits and trains Florida's teens to mentor third-graders in reading. A specialized curriculum, developed by VFF and Scholastic, guides teens and is enhanced by selected readers from Scholastic. This detailed guide ensures teens know what to do, and when, in tutoring third-grade students. The Trendsetters program is the proud recipient of the national Harris Wofford Award for exemplary performance in engaging youth in community service, given by Youth Service America in Washington, DC. Trendsetters is part of the Florida Mentoring Partnership. For more information, go to flamentoring.org/.
