Boston Eighth-Graders Take Field Trip to Baltimore/Washington, D.C., Courtesy of Boston Celtics and Southwest Airlines

Harbor School students who won ASSISTS community service contest meet with Senator Edward M. Kennedy and tour sites in nation's capital

WASHINGTON D.C. (June 22, 2005) -- A group of approximately 20 eighth-graders from The Harbor School in Dorchester enjoyed a special field trip to Baltimore/Washington, D.C. today, courtesy of Southwest Airlines, to meet U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy and tour the sites of the nation's capital with Celtics rookie Tony Allen. The students earned the trip by winning the ASSISTS community service contest sponsored by Southwest Airlines and the Celtics.

The students flew on Southwest Airlines out of T.F. Green Airport in Providence this morning and returned in the evening. The highlight of their day in the nation's capital was meeting with Senator Kennedy at the Capitol Building. They also toured the National Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, visited several monuments, and took a driving tour of the city.

"The Celtics are model players on the court and model citizens off the court, and I commend them for their leadership in reaching out to these young students each year," Senator Kennedy said. "It's very moving to see these future leaders respond to this challenge each year and give back to their communities."

"This was a great way to reward these students for showing a commitment to their community," Celtics rookie Tony Allen said. "They took it upon themselves to make an effort to improve their neighborhoods. It was exciting to see the smiles on the faces of the kids, many of whom were taking their first plane flight or visiting the Washington, D.C. for the first time."

The ASSISTS community service program, which is in its sixth year, is designed to help young people develop an understanding of critical issues facing society, and to help them recognize their ability to initiate real change. Through the program, the Celtics and Southwest Airlines invited teams of students from all 27 Boston Public Middle Schools to create and implement community service projects that would meet the needs of a local community and make a positive impact on its members. The program was designed to inspire eighth-grade students to improve their schools and neighborhoods.

For their winning project, The Harbor Middle School students helped out a total of three different charities during a four-month span. The students participated in a "Math-A-Thon" to raise money for research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, collected 150 coats as well as other winter garments for St. Francois House, and conducted a toy drive to help provide gifts to children with sickle cell disease at the Community Sickle Cell Support Group.

"Just as Southwest Airlines reaches out to the community, the ASSISTS program provides a wonderful opportunity to encourage students to pursue community service efforts," said Christina Johnson, Southwest Airlines Marketing Manager. "Along with learning the value of giving back, these students are learning teamwork and that their efforts do make a difference."

"The Celtics are pleased to partner with Southwest Airlines on the ASSISTS program to provide a way to honor these students for their deep commitment to their community," said Boston Celtics Executive Vice President Rich Gotham. "They have shown that grassroots community efforts make a difference and deserve to be recognized for making their neighborhoods better places to live and work."

To honor the second-place team from the Clarence R. Edwards Middle School, Celtics guard Ricky Davis hosted a pizza party at their school. The Patrick F. Gavin Middle School, the third-place team, received a Celtics basketball signed by a Celtics player and Celtics legend JoJo White.

Judging was based on the students' ability to (1) create an imaginative unique project; (2) meet the deadline for submitting entries; (3) make a positive impact and meet a real community need; and (4) have fun by helping others.