EDUCATION

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-06-21 04:01
Through programs like Read to Achieve, Student and Educator of the Month Award, Lakers School of Champions, and the Memorial Chick Hearn Scholarship Award, the Lakers work closely with local colleges, and elementary, middle, and high schools to honor those who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements in the classroom.

Education Programs

Student Educator of the Month

Student and Educator of the Month
Sponsored by Staples, the Student and Educator of the Month program allows schools in the Los Angeles area to nominate outstanding faculty members and students for a chance to be invited to and recognized at a Lakers home game. Nominate for this season's contest. 2010-11 Season winners

Read to Achieve
The Lakers Read to Achieve initiative focuses on literacy and instilling the joy of reading in Los Angeles youth. One of the highlights of the initiative is the annual Lakers "Be a Champion . . . and READ" Reading Challenge. The Reading Challenge is open to local 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classrooms. All participants receive a Lakers reading log and bookmark and are asked to complete a specificed reading assignment during a six week period. Students who complete the challenge receive a prize, a certificate of completion and are entered into a drawing to win two tickets to a Lakers game. Classrooms with a 100% completion rate are eligible to win Grand Prizes such as an ice cream party with Lakers players, game tickets for the entire classroom or a pep rally at their school.

"Freedom Through My Eyes"
The "Freedom Through My Eyes" art/essay contest encourages Los Angeles middle school students to explore the meaning of liberty and our nation's symbols of freedom. Students enter by submitting an essay and artwork expressing what freedom meant to them. Five lucky winners are invited on an exciting 4 day/3 night trip to Washington D.C..


Chick Hearn Memorial Scholarship
The Chick Hearn Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to two USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism students for furtherance of their work in sports broadcasting and journalism. Funding for the scholarship comes from an endowment that was established by the Los Angeles Lakers, Marge Hearn and hundreds of Lakers fans. The scholarship is awarded on Chick Hearn Night, an annual event that honors the legacy of Hall of Fame sports broadcaster Chick Hearn, who died in 2002.



Lakers School of Champions Award Luncheon
The Lakers Youth Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and Los Angeles Times In Education team to host the annual Lakers School of Champions Contest. The contest challenges students in grades 4-12 to tell their stories of living a healthy lifestyle, through art or essay.
Read about the 2011 Lakers School of Champions Award Luncheon.