Parents Step Ahead to Honor Six Parents at 5th Annual 'Parent of the Year' Gala

USA - English

• Latin America - español

DALLAS, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Six Dallas-Ft. Worth-area parents will be honored by Parents Step Ahead at its 5th annual "Parent of the Year" gala on Dec. 3, 2010, at the Crowne Plaza - Dallas Market Center. The event begins with a silent auction and reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and awards ceremony at 7 p.m.

This event also celebrates the fifth anniversary of Parents Step Ahead.

The "Parent of the Year" gala honors and celebrates parents who are making a difference in their children's educational and personal development. Parents are eligible for the recognition based on participation in the organization's school-based seminars and two essays -- one written by the parent on the importance of parental involvement in a child's life, and the second by the child on why his/her parent or guardian should be selected "Parent of the Year." A committee composed of local and national community and corporate leaders selects the winning essays. Honorees receive an award plaque and personal computer system, among other prizes.

During the academic year, Parents Step Ahead hosts school-based seminars for parents throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This year's seminars were held in the Dallas, Garland and Irving school districts.

Co-chairs for the 2010 gala are Linda Valdez Thompson, EVP of Administration and Diversity for DFW International Airport, and Robert Bard, CEO and President of LATINA Style Inc. and Parents Step Ahead board member. Gala committee members are:

• Claudia Herrmann - Casa Ciudad de Mexico
• Raul Magdaleno – Southern Methodist University
• Fred Maldonado – AT&T Texas
• Ana Cristina Reymundo - American Airlines Nexos
• Claudia Torrescano – Univision Radio
• Nina Vaca – Pinnacle Technical Resources

Steve Blow, a columnist for The Dallas Morning New, is keynote speaker for the event. Mr. Blow joined the newspaper as a reporter in 1978 and has written a popular column on the paper's Metropolitan page since 1989. Before joining The News, he was a reporter at the now-closed Fort Worth Press and at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Mr. Blow's columns have been named the best in the state by the Dallas Press Club, the Headliners Club of Austin and the Associated Press.

"Our 5th Annual 'Parent of the Year' Gala will be an evening to remember filled with inspirational stories from our speakers and from the parents we are proud to honor for their tireless dedication to the educational and personal development of their children," said Lupita Colmenero, Founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of Parents Step Ahead. "These exceptional parents remind all of us how important it is to nurture and treasure our children so they will have a greater chance of future success."

For more information regarding the "Parent of the Year" Gala or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Valerie Reyes or Melinda Urbina at (214) 357-2186 or visit www.parentsstepahead.org.

About Parents Step Ahead

Parents Step Ahead is a 501-C3 nonprofit organization with a mission "to recognize, educate, enable and empower parents to take a proactive role in the educational and personal development of their children." The organization works in partnership with school districts, corporations and community organizations to offer a series of school-based programs for parents of all backgrounds throughout the school calendar year. Educators, motivational speakers, community volunteers and parenting experts present seminars on topics such as gang awareness, drug use prevention, underage drinking, computer literacy, Internet safety, raising kids with love and logic, and health and financial issues. Programs focus on ways parents and legal guardians can be involved in their child's life and the difference their involvement can make. www.parentsstepahead.org. Follow Parents Step Ahead on Facebook.

SOURCE Parents Step Ahead