ZULEYKA RIVERA, MISS UNIVERSE, VISITS BEST BUDDIES FOR A
CULTURAL AWARENESS DAY AT MIAMI SPRINGS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
Miami – September 22, 2006 - Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe, will make her first visit to Miami since receiving her crown on July 23, 2006 in front of a live crowd in Los Angeles, California. While in Miami, Zuleyka will make a trip to a local high school chapter of Best Buddies, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendship and integrated employment. Last year Best Buddies International and Miss Universe Organization announced their new relationship, whereby Best Buddies became one of the organizationís official charitable alliances.
At Miami Springs High School, Best Buddies pairs students with and without intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships. Fifteen of these ìBuddy Pairsî have been preparing all month for Zuleykaís visit, planning a ìcultural awarenessî day that will highlight Zuleykaís Puerto Rican heritage and celebrate the diverse family backgrounds of Miami Springs Senior High students. Zuleyka, who was born and raised in Salinas, Puerto Rico, will join the group for flag making, salsa dancing and eating traditional Puerto Rican treats.
WHAT: MISS UNIVERSE Visits Miami Springs Senior High School
WHERE: Media Center, Miami Springs Senior High, 751 Dove Avenue, Miami Springs, Florida
WHEN: Friday, September 22, 2006; 11 a.m. ñ 1 p.m.
WHY: Best Buddies International is an official charity partner of The Miss Universe Organization. At Miami Springs Senior High School, Best Buddies matches students with and without intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships. As a result, students with intellectual disabilities gain independence, improved self-esteem and a lifelong friend. Student volunteers develop a sense of self-worth and a deeper commitment to public service.
About Best Buddies International
Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,300 middle school, high school, and college campuses across the country and internationally. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States. We have accredited international programs on six continents; with additional country programs under active development. Our six formal programs ñ Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies and Jobs ñ positively impact more than 300,000 individuals. Best Buddies also is systematically implementing our 2010 initiative that will witness the organizationís continued significant growth, both domestically and overseas. Best Buddies volunteers annually contribute, at no cost to their communities, support services that equate to $61 million USD.
The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® competitions, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC partnership. Utilizing its global grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS Awareness and women's health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, Global Health Council, Gods Love We Deliver and the United Nations Population Fund's Face-to-Face Campaign, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today.
CONTACT:
Miss Universe Organization
Lark-Marie AntÛn
(212) 373-4999
lanton@missuniverse.com