Frank Ski Kids Foundation announces winners of 2008 planet green: Amazon Adventure, presented by Legacy Communities
Ten bright students will embark upon the educational trip of a lifetime

ATLANTA (May 30, 2008) – “Good evening, Mr. President.” Last night at Zoo Atlanta, 20 finalists competing in the Frank Ski Kids Foundation essay competition channeled their inner Commander-in-chief and scientist and shared their ideas on how to preserve the environment for future generations. This morning on their top rated V103 morning show, co-hosts Frank and Wanda announced the names of those lucky ten bright-eyed youth, eager to jet to across the world on an educational eight day excursion.

On July 13, these ten Georgian students will go on all an-expenses paid journey to the largest tropical rainforest in the world, an area unparalleled in biodiversity: 

   Dominique Nock: Age 14, Griffin, GA
   Devon Fleetwood Age 13, Gwinnett, GA
   James Curlee Age 15, Douglasville, GA
   Phillip Musey Jr. Age 13, Gwinnett, GA
   Rayjhan Bethune Age 14, Conyers, GA
   Camara Carter Age 15, Tyrone, GA
   Morgan Jackson Age 13, Atlanta, GA
   Paige Staten Age 15, Atlanta, GA
   Jill Martin Age 14, Hampton, GA
   Marcia Blaklely Age 14, Lawrenceville, GA

   One in ten known species lives in the Amazon rainforest, and it’s for this reason that there has long been debate on how to bridge the needs of both economic development and conservation. While on their journey, the ten winners will learn how to survive in the rainforest, closely examine the fauna and animal species around them, swim with dolphins, hear about the culture of native villages, go piranha fishing, and much more! The children will be joined by Foundation Founder Frank Ski, Head of Education Georgia Aquarium Al George and Bird Curator Zoo Atlanta James Ballance, as well as videographers from National Geographic/Discovery channel. 

   Phillip Musey, 8th grader at Trickum Middle School is very enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn how he can help change the planet. “I am completely dedicated to instilling the pro-Earth mindset in Americans by leading by example…It’s really something special when you can come together and collaborate to get something done that’s so amazing!”

   The Frank Ski Kids Foundation Planet Green initiative was started 2007 to help educate school kids about worldwide conservation and preservation efforts and led to last year’s ground breaking expedition to the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos Islands. The foundation was the very first group of school children in American history to visit the Research Station. Asha Carter, one student who participated in the Galapagos trip wisely reflected upon her experience: “everything is connected to everything else...in order to keep Galapagos running smoothly, the rest of the planet needs to be working well too.”

   Ski has similarly high hopes for what the Amazon Adventure winners will learn: “Today’s youth truly are the solution to the planet’s perpetual conservation, energy and climate issues. With Planet Green, we are hoping to supply sharp young minds with the tools and experiences they need to instigate change in the world, so that future generations can appreciate the inherent beauty in the environment.”

   Sponsors of the 2008 Frank Ski Kids Foundation Planet Green: Amazon Adventure include: Title sponsor Legacy Communities, Kroger, AirTran, Sam’s Club, Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium, NIKETOWN Atlanta, Stan Sowunmi Mukoro & Family of Nigeria and Everyday's Friday.