Operation Graduation points to need for schools

Operation Graduationpoints to need for schools
The statistics are jarring. Every hour, 55 teens in the United States drop out of high school. Studies show that dropouts earn 43 percent less than high school graduates; over the course of a lifetime, they earn $200,000 less than their matriculated peers.
Teens cite many reasons for quitting their education -- from trouble keeping up with academic work to pregnancy and more. However, it's clear that a person's chances for a better life are drastically improved by staying in school. To help teens who feel that dropping out is their only option, the U.S. Army and the Ad Council have partnered to create a media campaign called Operation Graduation (http://www.operationgraduation.com).
From information on mentoring programs and homework assistance to preventing youth violence and substance abuse, Operation Graduation offers at-risk teens links to resources across the Internet, encouraging them not to give up. An interactive quiz tests visitors' assumptions on dropping out, and you can view video clips of the campaign's television spots. There is also a section for parents on how they can help their children finish school, including tips such as establishing daily homework times and encouraging open family dialogues.
For teens who still believe that school is not the answer, there is also information on high-school equivalency programs.
The message of Operation Graduation is simple: Schooling improves your chances for a better life. By bringing together various resources under one umbrella, the site can be used as tool for struggling students to realize the importance of an education.
Nike site scores bigwith football games
Whether you're a football player or a casual fan, Nikegridiron.com (www.nikegridiron.com) is sure to score points with you. The promotional site, put together by athletic equipment giant Nike, is part catalog, part magazine and part video game all rolled into one.
Visitors begin exploring the site by first selecting a Nike-sponsored NFL player. Your choices include quarterback Michael Vick, linebacker Brian Urlacher and receiver Terrell Owens. Nike is staggering the start of the Web site, so not all of the players are available yet.
Once you've selected an athlete, the fun begins! Each section includes a filmed interview with the player as well as a training video related to that player's position. For example, with Michael Vick you can watch an interview in which he explains the challenges of playing on a professional level and another video on a scrambling drill for quarterbacks. (Note: The training videos are informative and not instructional.)
Each section also includes a video game that is related to that player's position. Using the Vick example, visitors can practice throwing a football at a target while trying to elude defenders. Unfortunately, the games can only be played on Windows-based machines (sorry Mac users).
And of course, it wouldn't be a Nike Web site if it didn't promote a Nike product. Visitors can click on images of the items the athlete is wearing to find information on the products and where to purchase them.
Nikegridiron.com's multimedia approach sacks the competition!
XEric Goodwin writes Hotlink for Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. You can send e-mail to egoodwin@krtinfo.com.