National Grid Foundation TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics and the National Grid Foundation invited local children from the Troy City School District, Boys and Girls Club of Troy, Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club and the Troy YMCA to participate in "Shoot for the Stars." This program is designed to motivate students to improve their academic performance, attendance and school behavior. "Shoot for the Stars" rewards students and a guest with tickets to select Rensselaer men's or women's ice hockey games.
During the men's Division I hockey game against St. Lawrence University on Saturday, February 28, 2015 deserving school students will be highlighted in a pre-game on-ice ceremonial puck-drop presentation. Rensselaer County Executive, Kathleen M. Jimino; President of the National Grid Foundation, Mr. Bob Keller; Rensselaer's Vice President for Institute Advancement, Mr. Graig Eastin; and, Athletic Director, Mr.
Jim Knowlton will participate in the presentation. The "Shoot for the Stars" program began at Rensselaer in January, 2014 with children from the Troy City School District. Since the program's inception, hundreds of children have participated.
Rensselaer and National Grid Foundation have partnered to implement the program; the National Grid Foundation is supporting the program this year with a $15,000 investment.
As role models to the young people in the community, Rensselaer scholar-athletes act as mentors to the program participants. Having role models such as Rensselaer hockey players is one way to promote the increased participation and interest of young students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields and sports.
"Shoot for the Stars" is the latest in a series of National Grid Foundation programs, which includes the successful "Hoops for the Stars" program at Siena College, Syracuse University, Providence College and the University of Rhode Island that provide tickets to men's and women's basketball games to middle school students for their academic achievements.
"Rensselaer is excited to partner with National Grid Foundation to encourage local school children to be the best they can be inside and outside the classroom. We are confident this initiative will have far-reaching effects for motivating and rewarding students to achieve greatness," said
Jim Knowlton, Director of Athletics at Rensselaer.
"The National Grid Foundation is pleased to partner with Rensselaer on this important endeavor. We are confident that student participants will excel in the classroom, with the help of Rensselaer's exceptional scholar-athletes and the reward of a Rensselaer hockey game," said Bob Keller, President, National Grid Foundation.
"Helping our youth achieve success through positive reinforcement is an excellent way to help them reach their goals and strive for even greater accomplishments. I want to commend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and National Grid Foundation for spearheading this program and their ongoing commitment to the children of our communities," stated Rensselaer County Executive, Kathleen M. Jimino.
About National Grid Foundation
The National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life across its grant making territory. The Foundation's ongoing challenge is to create opportunities for solutions to educational and environmental issues. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families and communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the Foundation has provided more than $18 million in grants to hundreds of organizations.
About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824, is the nation's oldest technological research university. The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in engineering, the sciences, information technology and web science, architecture, management, and the humanities, arts, and social sciences. Institute programs serve undergraduates, graduate students, and working professionals around the world. Rensselaer faculty are known for pre-eminence in research conducted in a wide range of fields, with particular emphasis in biotechnology, nanotechnology, computation and information technology, the media arts and technology, and energy and the environment. The Institute is well known for its success in the transfer of technology from the laboratory to the marketplace so that new discoveries and inventions benefit human life, protect the environment, and strengthen economic development. For information about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, go to: www.rpi.edu.
