NEWS RELEASE
Release Date: May 7, 2008
Contact: Caron Blanton, APR, Director of Communications, 601-359-3706
Peavey Electronics Presents "On the Bus" Guitar to State Superintendent
You may have seen the Mississippi Department of Education's new statewide initiative to curb the dropout rate promoted on bumper stickers, posters and even TV ads.
But the latest, hippest item you'll find the "On the Bus" logo gracing is a one-of-kind-guitar from Peavey Electronics Corporation.
Mary Peavey, president of the Meridian-based musical equipment company, presented the guitar to State Superintendent of Education Dr. Hank Bounds Wednesday at the Mississippi Economic Council's Annual Meeting in Jackson.
The custom guitar is from the new Peavey Scenic Series, which is designed to showcase the diverse regions and people of the Magnolia State and can be customized with themed images for any town, business or cause. Each time one of the custom guitars is sold, $400 will be donated to the Afterschool Alliance of Mississippi, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of after school programs.
Peavey Electronics is one of several businesses in the state that have gotten behind the "On the Bus" program, an effort to cut the dropout rate throughout the state by 50 percent in the next five to seven years.
"When students feel connected, supported and safe, they are more likely to make healthy choices for themselves, such as staying in school," said Mary Peavey, who serves on the national Board of Directors for the nonprofit group Afterschool Alliance (www.afterschoolalliance.org).
Mary Peavey was a guest speaker at the Mississippi Department of Education's "Destination Graduation: Adult Summit" in February, where community leaders throughout the state discussed ways to encourage all students to graduate. She also hosted a follow-up summit in Lauderdale County.
Encouraging Mississippi children to "cross the finish line is about saving lives," Dr. Bounds said at the MEC event, because "a young person who drops out of school in today's economy really cannot make the kind of living wage they need in order to be successful."
The job can't just be left up to educators alone, he added.
MEC President Blake Wilson agreed.
"This issue affects the business community and economic development. If we don't provide a quality workforce, Mississippi will be left behind," he said. "Kudos to Hank Bounds. We're glad to be a cheerleader for this program."
Mary Peavey (center), president of Peavey Electronics Corporation, presented a custom guitar featuring the "On the Bus" logo to State Superintendent of Education Dr. Hank Bounds (right) Wednesday at the Mississippi Economic Council's Annual Meeting in Jackson.
Mike Fernandez (left), vice president of public affairs for State Farm, the company that sponsored the "On the Bus" campaign through a grant, is also featured in the picture.
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Peavey Electronics Corporation
Founded in 1965, Peavey® is one of the world's largest manufacturers of musical instruments and professional sound equipment. Peavey has earned than 180 patents and produces more than 2,000 products, which are distributed throughout the United States and to 136 other countries. Peavey and its MediaMatrix®, Architectural Acoustics®, PVDJ®, Crest Audio® and Trace Elliot® brands and affiliates can be found on concert stages and in more than 5,000 airports, stadiums, theme parks and other venues around the world. To find out more, visit www.peavey.com.
Mississippi Department of Education
The Department of Education's Office of Dropout Prevention is responsible for the administration of Mississippi's statewide dropout prevention program and oversees the "On the Bus" campaign, which sponsored through a grant from State Farm Insurance Companies to the Public Education Forum. MDE's goal is to reduce the state dropout rate by 50 percent in the next five to seven years. For dropout prevention information, visit www.OnTheBus.ms or www.mde.k12.ms.us.
