Milka Duno Visits Christel House Academy Students
Venezuelan Connection Bonds School and Driver
LOS ANGELES, CA (May 13, 2010) – During an assembly this morning at Indianapolis-based Christel House Academy, IndyCar driver Milka Duno spoke with students and staff about the value of education and the importance of giving back to the community.
Duno is in Indianapolis preparing for her fourth consecutive Indianapolis 500.
Duno is a native of Venezuela, which is also home to one of the five international Christel House learning centers. In addition to being one of the most successful female sports car racers in history, Milka is also a qualified naval engineer with four master's degrees - in organizational development, naval architecture, fishing and aquaculture and maritime business – earning the last three degrees simultaneously.
Six years ago Duno created the “Milka Way” Program to inspire children and students to “Aim for the Stars” and achieve academic excellence. Duno has taken this message to children and students at all school levels around the world to help inspire and motivate them and to help them understand the importance of education-and how a strong academic background will benefit them their entire life-in all aspects of their life-and in any career they choose.
About Christel House Academy:
Christel House Academy is a public charter school authorized by the mayor of Indianapolis and serves a diverse population; 61% are minorities and 90% qualify for free and reduced lunch. The Academy opened in 2002 and offers kindergarten through eighth grade. Its students have made significant academic gains and in 2008, the school earned the 2008 Indiana Department of Education High Performing Title I School Award for Closing the Achievement Gap. Its ISTEP scores are among the highest of charter schools in Marion County with a 74.3 percent passing rate, compared with 71.4 percent for the state of Indiana.
In addition to the Indianapolis-based Christel House Academy, Christel House International operates schools and learning centers in India, Mexico, South Africa and Venezuela. Christel House provides education, healthcare, nutrition, life skills and character development to more than 3,000 children.
For more information on Christel House Academy please visit www.christelhouse.org
For more information on Milka Duno please visit www.milkaduno.com
____________________________