Desert Christian Academy to Host Laura Bush

Former First Lady Will Give Keynote Speech at Annual Auction Gala

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Dec 29, 2010, 08:28 ET

BERMUDA DUNES, Calif., Dec. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Former First Lady Laura Bush will give the keynote address at Desert Christian Academy's 21st Annual Auction Gala. The dinner and auction, which will take place at 7 p.m. on March 5, 2011 in the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort's Crystal Ballroom in Indian Wells, Calif., serves as the school's primary source of scholarship funding. Each year, Desert Christian Academy (DCA) provides financial assistance to approximately 75 percent of its families, enabling its impact to reach more of the community.

"We are thrilled that the former First Lady will be visiting Desert Christian Academy," says Dave Fulton, school founder. "Her rare combination of faith, generosity of spirit, and devotion to education dovetail perfectly with DCA's mission: helping students to grow to their potential spiritually, academically, physically and socially."

Both in her public and private life, Mrs. Bush has served as a tireless advocate for literacy, education, and childhood development. Raised in Midland, Texas, she worked as a second grade teacher and school librarian before marrying George W. Bush, who would eventually become our country's 43rd President.

As First Lady, Mrs. Bush was beloved for her grace, poise, and compassion. In the wake of 9/11, she spoke about techniques adults could use to comfort children traumatized by the attacks. She has lobbied for reading, childhood development, and education programs, among them the No Child Left Behind Act, which used federal funds to recruit new teachers, improve training, and raise pay. Her passion for history helped inspire Preserve America, which recognizes communities for protecting cultural and natural heritage. She served as honorary ambassador for the UNESCO Decade of Literacy, visited Afghanistan to promote a teacher-training institute for women, and raised awareness for issues ranging from the challenges facing at-risk youth to the health risks for women posed by heart disease.

Tickets for the gala will go on sale Thursday, December 30, 2010, at www.desertchristianacademy.org.

About Desert Christian Academy:

The mission of Desert Christian Academy is to provide an educational program that supports parents in training students to glorify God by thinking, speaking, and acting biblically, while encouraging students to grow to their potential spiritually, academically, physically and socially. For more information about Desert Christian Academy, call 760-345-2848 or go to www.desertchristianacademy.org.

SOURCE Desert Christian Academy