Cover Girl & Supermodel Patricia Velasquez To Help Young Latinas Aim For Success.

Striving to help break the teen high school drop-out cycle and inspire Latinas to draw strength from their cultural heritage, Cover Girl has teamed with Hispanic fashion model and actress Patricia Velasquez to launch “My Colors Of Success,” a new “stay in school” initiative created to encourage Latinas to finish high school and pursue their personal and professional dreams.

The effort kicks off April 16 in Los Angeles through a partnership with Latino-predominant high schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest district in the nation. Stressing the importance of education, preparation, ambition and pride as the first step to achieving personal and professional dreams, Velasquez will visit select high schools in the district and use her celebrity to inspire young Latinas to finish high school and remain focused on their goals.

While the Latino youth population is expected to increase 90% by 2010, recent statistics illustrate that Latina girls are the most likely students to quit high school. The percentage of drop-outs among Latina female high school students, ages 16-24, is 26% compared to 13% (African-American) and 6.9% (Anglo).

Venezuelan-born Velasquez, whose fashion and philanthropic work is known around the world, rose to fame as spokesmodel for the coveted Chanel and Cover Girl(R) campaigns and has earned accolades for her commitment to the advancement of Hispanics, the fair treatment of indigenous peoples and the fight against pediatric AIDS.

To encourage Latinas to think about and express their goals, Cover Girl is inviting students from select Los Angeles Unified School District high schools to enter an essay contest describing “How embracing your inner beauty and heritage will help you succeed” for a grand prize $4,000 college savings bond and a trip to New York to visit with Velasquez.

“Even though there are many opportunities for minority women today, more and more Latinas are dropping out of school. I think issues of self-confidence and lack of positive role models may have contributed to this situation,” says Velasquez. “Without an education and the desire to set goals and achieve them, there’s emptiness behind everything we do, whether it’s running a company, having a family or working in the entertainment field.”

“Patricia’s extraordinary drive and commitment make her the perfect spokeswoman for this effort and we’re delighted to partner with her to encourage Latinas in Los Angeles to stay in school,” says Anne Martin, Global Marketing Manager for Procter & Gamble Cosmetics. “The appeal and personality of the Cover Girl brand has always been about enhancing inner beauty, and the program is a unique way to reinforce that message.”

“My Colors Of Success” Essay Contest Submission Guidelines The essay contest is open to all students of Hispanic origin attending select high schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District. To enter contestants must submit a brief essay describing, “How embracing your inner beauty and heritage will help you succeed.” Written (or typed) essays must be
no more than 250 words. Submissions can be written in either English or Spanish.

Submissions must include name, age, grade and phone number and must be received no later than May 15, 2003. All entries become the property of Cover Girl(R) and will not be returned. Submissions should be mailed to “My Colors Of Success,” C/O RLPR, 3000 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 2350, Santa Monica, CA 90404, or submitted via email to iv***********@***************ns.com