Plymouth and Canton High School Student Diversity Council to Receive Grant From Lou LaRiche Chevrolet and Congressional Certificate of Honor on May 16

  Who:
  *  Plymouth and Canton High School students (Student Diversity Council
     members)
  *  Congressional Certificate of Honor recipient: Student Diversity Council
     Director Lynn Sandmann
  *  High School Principal Jerry Ostin
  *  Don Wowchuang, a representative from Congressman McCotter's office, to
     Present award

What: Lou LaRiche Chevrolet and Chevrolet Motor Division award $8,000 grant to Plymouth and Canton High Schools to expand the Student Diversity Council.

The funds will help the Student Diversity Council members bring in speakers and theatre groups to present programs to the student body (5,000 students) that emphasize the importance of accepting, encouraging and appreciating ethnic differences. Diversity Council students and their parents will also attend workshops, seminars and camps to help enhance communication, leadership, teambuilding and decision-making skills and build cultural awareness.

In honor of her leadership with the Diversity Council, teacher Lynn Sandmann will receive a Congressional Certificate of Honor and will also be presented with an $8,000 check for the Diversity Council from Lou LaRiche at the May 16 event. Lynn Sandmann is the faculty advisor for the student Diversity Council at Salem and Canton High Schools. She helps to coordinate student involvement in leadership trainings and long camps designed to increase student awareness on prejudices and biases, as well as to educate and encourage students to be responsible and tolerant members of society. The students under Lynn Sandmann's leadership have reflected an increase in self- confidence, communication skills, teamwork, and mediation skills. These students have also volunteered much of their own time to attend diversity workshops, trainings, and camps.

Chevrolet dealers in the Detroit metro area are part of a larger community initiative, Chevy R.O.C.K.: Reaching Out to Communities and Kids. Chevy R.O.C.K. provides students with the skills and resources they need to succeed by awarding grants to schools and organizations that support 6-18-year-olds. Currently, Chevrolet dealers in 23 cities across the country have the opportunity to participate in Chevy R.O.C.K.'s Matching Grant Program by nominating qualifying organizations to receive matching grants to address important community needs. Nationwide, Chevrolet dealers like Lou LaRiche contribute more than 20 million dollars a year to local nonprofit organizations.

  When/Where:  Friday, May 16, 2003 at 3 p.m.
               Lou LaRiche Chevrolet, 40875 Plymouth Road, Plymouth, MI

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please CONTACT: Scott LaRiche of Lou LaRiche Chevrolet, +1-734-453-4600, or +1-248-421-3576.

PRNewswire -- May 14