Mobile Experience Shows Students the Importance of Getting a Good Education | Business

The Choice Bus will visit schools across the state of South Carolina thanks to a partnership between State Farm Insurance and The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation.

Students in Pelion, Clinton and Ware Shoals will experience firsthand the powerful message of The Choice Bus, the nation’s first mobile experience dedicated to reducing the dropout rate. The Choice Bus is one of three tools created by The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation to help reduce the dropout rate in the U.S.

State Farm’s sponsorship also provides schools visited with the InsideOut Toolkit. Each Toolkit contains a Teacher’s Guide, a Stay in School Pledge Card and the InsideOut documentary, a 26-minute DVD that exposes the real story of the devastating and lasting effects of dropping out of school, told by those who live with the consequences every day: prison inmates. The documentary and companion Teacher’s Guide have been used in classrooms and community centers in 47 states and Canada and viewed by more than nine million people.

The Choice Bus sponsored by State Farm will visit more than 1,000 students May 1-4:

Tuesday, May 1 Day at the Capitol

Hilton Hotel

924 Senate Street

Columbia, SC 29201

9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 2 - Fairfield Middle School

728 Highway 321, Bypass South

Winnsboro, SC

9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, May 2 - Fairfield Central High School

836 Highway 321, Bypass South

Winnsboro, SC

12:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 3 - Bell Street Middle School

600 Peachtree Street

Clinton, SC 29325

8:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 3 - Clinton High School

18132 Highway 72 E

Clinton, SC 29325

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Friday, May 4 - Ware Shoals Junior High
56 S. Greenwood Avenue
Ware Shoals, SC 29692

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The bus is a customized learning environment that teaches students the importance of making good choices. The front half of the bus is a classroom setting, while the back half of the bus contains a prison cell replica. The primary purpose of The Choice Bus is to get students’ attention for the powerful message that demonstrates the importance of having an education along with a reality check for what could happen to people who drop out of school. The Choice Bus has been experienced by more than one million people.

“The Choice Bus experience allows students to envision two dramatically different futures and sends a powerful message about the value of education,” said Phil Christian, Executive Director of The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation. “The major focus during the presentation is showing young people what education can do for them and how it’s connected to career choices and lifetime earning potential.”

“We are proud to sponsor The Choice Bus visits to our schools and communities,” said Marlene Laiacona, State Farm Insurance Southern Zone Public Affairs Specialist. “This innovative tool truly makes a difference in helping students realize the importance of choosing to stay in school and complete their high school education.”

“Education is the key to a successful life. We need to show every child that they have the potential to pursue a career and make a good living,” said Dr. Shelley Stewart, Founder and President of The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation. “That’s why we are grateful to State Farm Insurance for helping us further our mission to increase the graduation rate in South Carolina and across the nation.”

To learn more about The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation and The Choice Bus, visit www.mattiecstewart.org.