American Graduate Day 2014 returns Saturday, September 27 for its third consecutive year. Hosted by Wes Moore, best-selling author and U.S. Army veteran, the all-day event will broadcast and stream live from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City. Arizona Public Media (AZPM®) will broadcast the entire program live on Saturday, September 27 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on PBS 6. Encore broadcasts will air September 27 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the UA Channel and September 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on WORLD.
American Graduate Day 2014 celebrates the exceptional work of individuals and groups across the country who are American Graduate Champions: those helping local youth stay on track to college and career successes. This year’s topics include Early Education, Caring Consistent Adults, More and Better Learning, Special Needs, STEAM, Dropout Prevention and Re-Engagement, Career Readiness and College Completion.
American Graduate Day 2014 will be anchored by “Stories of Champions,” a series of 14 one-minute profile pieces which spotlight individuals and influential figures in local communities around the country who are successfully keeping students on the path to graduation.
"Samir Madden,” a local story produced by AZPM, is one of 14 chosen to be broadcast nationally as part of American Graduate Day 2014. Sami Madden, a 21 year-old junior studying history and religious studies at the University of Arizona, is also President of I-CAN (International Child Amputee Network.) I-CAN is dedicated to promoting education, support, information, and empowerment to traumatic and congenital limb different children and their families. Madden, who has a congenital quadruple amputation, works to increase awareness of kids with limb differences particularly in schools and classrooms. He knows firsthand the trials and tribulations of children who face this challenge. He teaches and mentors young students with limb differences and their peers on issues of self-esteem, bullying and acceptance.
Two additional local Tucsonans will be featured in the local broadcast: Tamara McKinney, program director of the Reading Seed and Tom Kramkowski, drop-out prevention specialist and Youth on Their Own Liaison at Tucson Unified School District.
McKinney is a tireless and hands-on advocate for reading proficiency and literacy in the K-3 student population. Reading Seed trains dedicated volunteers to work with struggling readers on motivation, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.
Tom Kramkowski, is a passionate and dedicated student advocate who works to identify, guide and assist at-risk teens in TUSD. Many of the students Kramkowski works with lack the support of a caring adult, have no permanent nighttime residence and no consistent home environment. In fact, many would be considered “homeless”. He has proven through his compassion and dedication that he cares for these young people and is working to help them overcome their challenges and graduate from high school.
Featuring a dynamic mix of national long-form programming, live breaks, and AZPM pre-taped segments, the entire program will tell the story of community partners and how they provide support, advice, and intervention services to at-risk students, families, and schools.
Visit the national website at American Graduate Let’s Make It Happen.
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