FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Carolyn E. Santangelo

Director of Awards

610-933-8825 ext. 234

FREEDOMS FOUNDATION HONORS AMERICA’S TEACHERS WITH 29^TH ANNUAL LEAVEY AWARDS IN PHILADELPHIA

RHODE ISLANDER KEN PROUDFOOT AMONG THE HONOREES

VALLEY FORGE, PA (March 6, 2006) – Nineteen educators from 13 programs in schools throughout the United States were presented with the 29^th Annual Leavey Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge on Saturday, March 11^th at a gala awards dinner at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.

The teachers were being honored for inspiring the next generation of business leaders through innovative education programs. Among those distinguished teachers honored is Kenneth Proudfoot of the Rhode Island Micro Enterprise Association based in North Kingstown. Proudfoot received this honor for his statewide program entitled “Rhode Island Youth Entrepreneurship Program.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, the 19 teachers participated in a Leavey Summit on Friday, March 10^th. They presented their winning projects and share their ideas with an audience of fellow educators from the Philadelphia region.

“The Leavey Awards in just a short time have become the most prestigious honor in the United States for teachers who create and implement programs that teach the free enterprise system to future generations,” said Freedoms Foundation CEO Aaron Siegel. “The Freedoms Foundation is proud to host this important tribute and to celebrate our 29^th anniversary partnership with the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation.”

Endowed by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation, Los Angeles, the Leavey Awards recognize educators for innovative techniques in teaching about the free enterprise system. Each winning program receives a $7,500 cash award. Annually up to 20 programs can be recognized. This year marks the 29^th year the awards have been presented by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. Since its inception in 1977, the Leavey Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education has honored over 400 teachers and awarded over $3 million in award money.

The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge was founded in 1949 to help Americans preserve the ideals and principles of the United States through educational and award programs for men, women and children from every community in America. Freedoms Foundation volunteer chapters are located in 31 cities throughout the country. For more information on the Leavey Awards and Freedoms Foundation visit the Foundation web site at www.freedomsfoundation.com or call 610-933-8825 ext. 234.

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