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PRESS RELEASE
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 28, 1997 -- Two hundred seventy students from New York City public schools today are on an unusual class trip. Winners of a district-wide civics essay contest, the students fly via 747 jumbo jet to Washington, D.C. to tour the White House and to visit other sites in the nation's capital.
For many, if not all, of these children, this is their first trip on an airplane, let alone their first visit to the White House.
The program, "Endeavor '97," is underwritten by Singapore Airlines. It showcases inner-city students who showed the determination and courage it takes to succeed. Students, grades four to eight, were asked to write essays on "Why I want to go to Washington" or "What I would ask the President to do." Principals and teachers chose the best 27 entries from each of 10 schools throughout Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.
"Endeavor '97 represents a very generous gift from Singapore Airlines to the New York City Public School System," said Rudolph Crew, chancellor of the Board of Education for the City of New York. "Singapore Airlines' desire to make a gesture of gratitude to the American public by choosing to honor and support 270 of our most underserved children is truly commendable." Dr. Crew added, "The impact of an event like this is particularly great for the many students who have never traveled outside of their own neighborhoods."
"These outstanding students exemplify the character, determination and perseverance it takes to succeed in life and in business," said Sudheer Raghavan, vice president, Singapore Airlines. "The White House is an inspiring symbol of how far commitment and ambition can take them. We wanted to honor these students and to demonstrate to them how valuable those qualities are."
The students will fly round-trip today from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Washington's Dulles International Airport.
After returning to New York, students will be given the opportunity to submit an essay about their experiences on the trip. Three children writing the best essays along with their parents will win an all-expense paid trip to Singapore and Bali.
Singapore Airlines, which is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, wanted to give back to the community for all its support over the years. "We feel the daily struggle these children face mirrors the story of Singapore and Singapore Airlines," Raghavan added. "The difficulties these children face everyday are astronomical. We want them to recognize with hard work and unflinching determination that they will succeed."
Singapore Airlines currently serves three U.S. gateways -- New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco -- with 33 passenger flights every week.
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