Taco Bell® Foundation for Teens™ & Get Schooled Launch "Graduate for Mas™" Program

IRVINE, Calif., May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Taco Bell® Foundation for Teens™, in partnership with Get Schooled, today announced the launch of Graduate for Mas™, a program challenging teens to make a personal commitment to graduate high school. Actor and philanthropist Mark Wahlberg, who did not finish high school himself, also announced today his support of the program.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130515/LA13280-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130515/LA13280-b)

"I grew up without the support and resources I needed to stay motivated, so graduation was the last thing on my mind," said Wahlberg. "Today, I see students across the country, struggling under the same circumstances, and I know I'm in a position to help. That's why I'm demonstrating my personal commitment to education by earning my high school diploma."

Wahlberg and his Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation recently joined the Taco Bell® Foundation for Teens™, Get Schooled and MTV News executive producer Sway to celebrate students at T.C. Williams High School, outside of Washington, D.C., for being the largest study body in the country to make the promise to graduate high school through the Graduate for Mas program. He then joined Taco Bell leadership on a tour of Capitol Hill, meeting with the White House, select Members of Congress and key policymakers to discuss the need to inspire and enable teens to achieve more, starting with high school graduation.

Graduate for Mas™ is an online program dedicated to empowering teens to make a personal promise to graduate high school and to achieve "mas" in their communities. The Taco Bell Foundation for Teens developed the program in partnership with Get Schooled to provide digital tools, support and an online community that high school students need to stay on track. Once registered, teens can earn points for prizes, rewards and educational support, including scholarships and local mentoring resources. In celebration of the program's launch, teens who promise to graduate will earn a coupon for a free crunchy taco at participating Taco Bell® restaurants.  

"Simply put, we believe in teens and are actively working on their behalf to identify ways to help them reach their full potential," said Greg Creed, Taco Bell CEO and co-chairman of the Taco Bell® Foundation for Teens™. "The Graduate for Mas program ensures that today's teens become tomorrow's leaders, and its success requires the support of communities, business leaders, elected officials and like-minded organizations, like Mark and his own Youth Foundation."

Wahlberg demonstrated his continued support today, sharing a message on Twitter and Facebook announcing his support of Graduate for Mas and encouraging teens to make the promise to graduate high school. The actor/producer returned to high school last year by enrolling in an online diploma program based in Massachusetts.

Wahlberg's involvement includes engaging other celebrities and peers, as well as leveraging pop culture events to to deliver Graduate for Mas information that inspires teens in their educational pursuits.  

"As the premiere education brand for young people, we are thrilled to partner with the Taco Bell Foundation to create the Graduate for Mas program," said Marie Groark, executive director of Get Schooled Foundation. "Together, we are making significant progress on keeping students in school through creative digital programs and social technology that engage teens."

For more information on the Graduate for Mas™ program, or to sign the promise to graduate, teens and supporters are encouraged to visit graduateformas.com.

About Taco Bell® Foundation for Teens™

Taco Bell Foundation Inc., also known as Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation committed to inspiring and enabling America's teens to achieve mas through its programs, partnerships, and direct financial assistance. Every year, the Foundation serves more than 100,000 teens in more than 180 communities across the country and awards more than 300 grants and scholarships focused on education and career preparedness. Since 1992, the Foundation has awarded more than $42 million in support of more than 1,000 teen-serving organizations in the U.S. through customer, franchisee, employee and vendor-partner donations. For more information visit tacobellforteens.org, and find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TacoBell4Teens.

About Get Schooled

Get Schooled is a non-profit organization that directly engages and motivates students to graduate from high school and succeed in college. Get Schooled is the premiere education brand for young people – linking students with high quality, cutting edge resources and tools they need to succeed. Get Schooled has developed a track record of success because it engages with young Americans using the media, technology and popular culture that is an integral part of their lives. Get Schooled's work is boosted by partners like Viacom and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In its first two years, Get Schooled has engaged more than 2.5 million young Americans and has built a network of more than 325 middle and high schools.

About The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation

Mark Wahlberg and his family established the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation on the belief that no child should be prevented to living up to his or her potential due to financial hardship. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life for teens living in urban communities and distributes funds to support local youth service and enrichment programs nationwide. A life-long member and advocate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Mark comes from a family of nine children with limited means and spent most of his afternoons and evenings at his local club. He credits a large part of his success to the fact that he was fortunate to spend his free time in a positive and nurturing environment. Visit www.markwahlbergyouthfoundation.com.

SOURCE Taco Bell Corp.