May 12, 2011 | Photos
More than 7,500 Indianapolis Public Schools students learned that living the values of excellence, scholarship, respect and courage really pays off.
The students took part in the 3rd annual Values 4 Life Celebration on May 12, 2011, in Conseco Fieldhouse.
A pre-event program featuring dancers and a battle of the drum lines tipped off at 10:45 a.m. to entertain students as they await the start of the show. At 11:30 a.m., Mistress of Ceremonies Zuri Hall of MYINDY-TV introduced nationally recognized wonder dog Rockin’ Rory, whose acrobatic Frisbee antics captured the country’s attention on “America’s Got Talent.” Also entertaining the Grade 1-6 children was the Radio Disney Road Crew, yo-yo master Noel Kunz, Pacers players Dahntay Jones, A. J. Price and Lance Stephenson, Fever player Shyra Ely, and crowd favorite Boomer -- the Pacers mascot. Closing the show was the high-energy gymnastic troupe The Chicago Boys.
Guest speakers included Superintendent Eugene G. White, Mayor Gregory Ballard, Pacers Sports & Entertainment Chief Operating Officer Rick Fuson (an Arlington High School graduate), and Best Buy Castleton Store Manager Scott Trittipo.
"To have this event at Conseco Fieldhouse is so special to IPS. We have to thank the entire Pacers organization for its loyal support to our projects." stated Superintendent Eugene G. White
“We are thrilled to host this annual event for the third year,” stated Rick Fuson, Pacers Sports & Entertainment Chief operating Officer. “It is so important to instill these values in the students, as they will serve them forever. We’re proud to assist the community and IPS in this effort.”
Students earned the right to attend the Values 4 Life celebration by collecting four bracelets, each embossed with one of the district’s core values. The bracelets are distributed at the beginning of each nine-week grading period. Students must keep all four bracelets to attend. If a teacher or other adults takes a bracelet from a child because he or she has misbehaved, the child has the opportunity to “win back” the bracelet through improved behavior.
“The Values 4 Life program is a tremendous way to say ‘Good job!’ to students who do the right thing every day in terms of behavior and school work,” said Dr. White.