Contact: Jennifer Bauer
612-547-1459
jbauer@vocalessence.org

VocalEssence presents third annual "Reatha Clark King Award" to Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan C. Page and Diane Sims Page

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (December 17, 2008) – The Reatha Clark King Award for Excellence and Youth Motivation through the Cultural Arts was developed by VocalEssence to celebrate and recognize those who provide the resources to help organizations come closer to their vision, and those who are in the field empowering youth through direct contact, making a way for them to be as successful as they can be.

The third recipients of this annual award are Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan C. Page and Diane Sims Page, co-founders of the Page Education Foundation which assists minority and other disadvantaged youth with post-secondary education. The foundation offers scholarships to students of color who demonstrate a positive attitude toward education and agree to act as tutors, mentors, and role models for younger children in their communities.

On Sunday, February 15, 2009, the Pages will be presented with the Reatha Clark King Award for Excellence and Youth Motivation through the Cultural Arts on stage at the VocalEssence WITNESS concert at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Artist Ta-Coumba Aiken creates a one-of-a-kind framed art glass tile which is presented to the winners as a memento of the award.

"VocalEssence recognizes the Pages for their incredible commitment to providing secondary education opportunities to students of color through the Page Educational Foundation. The educational benefit to students is really just the beginning. Through this program, students are fully engaged with their own community as they volunteer to mentor and positively influence younger children and develop a sense of personal responsibility," said VocalEssence Artistic Director Philip Brunelle.

Elected to the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1988, Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Page is widely renowned for his defensive efforts with the Minnesota Vikings during the 1970s. He attended law school at the University of Minnesota during the height of his football career, and is an ardent defender of equal education for children.

With over 25 years of marketing research experience, Diane Sims Page is recognized as one of the country’s pre-eminent focus group leaders, product positioners, and "trend spotters." In addition to her role as Creative Facilitator and Moderator for Leapfrog Associates, she also serves as the volunteer Executive Director of the Page Education Foundation.

Past winners of the Reatha Clark King Award for Excellence and Youth Motivation through the Cultural Arts are Ossie Brooks James, principal of Lyndale Community School, and Patricia Harvey, former superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools.

For additional press information, contact VocalEssence Director of Marketing and Public Relations Jennifer Bauer (612-547-1459, jbauer@vocalessence.org).

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