SACRAMENTO -- Chuck Woolery felt a touch of déja vu as he returned to the set of “The Big Spin®” for the first time since 1985. The original host of “The Big Spin®” show, Woolery’s job this time was to present Andrea Laudate and Alicia DeCastro with the California Lottery's “Heroes in Education” award.
This month’s volunteer heroes are a mother and daughter team. About four years ago, Laudate and DeCastro formed the “Sister-to-Sister” after school program at San Francisco’s A.P. Gianinni Middle School. Through this program, Laudate and DeCastro attempt to empower pre-teen girls by teaching them how to make healthy life choices for their minds and their bodies. Using interactive classes, they teach girls about safety, time management, goal setting, cooking, budgeting and self protection. Through group discussions, journals, videos and peer mentoring, these girls learn more about themselves while learning the skills they’ll need to achieve success in school and in life.
Thanks to Laudate and DeCastro and their “Sister-to-Sister” program, many girls have already seen those skills pay off as they were accepted to a local “academic” high school with tough acceptance guidelines.
The California Lottery’s “Heroes in Education” award has been presented monthly on “The Big Spin®” television show, since 1999. The Lottery partners with various celebrities to present these awards which recognize special individuals who volunteer their time and resources to their schools and communities. This week’s show airs Saturday, February 7, 2004, in every California television market statewide.
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