Symetra Heroes in the Classroom Raises over $48,000 to
Provide Seattle Schools with Books and Supplies
Seattle, Wash. — (Dec. 20, 2006) — The Seattle Seahawks, along with title sponsor Symetra Financial and Vulcan Inc., announced today that the
Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program has exceeded its goal and will provide $48,150 to outfit Seattle Public School classrooms with books and supplies.
Symetra Heroes in the Classroom recognizes local teachers for outstanding leadership and instructional skills throughout the Seahawks season. In addition to the funds raised for the schools, 24 exceptional teachers were honored both in the classroom and on the field during Seahawks home games this season.
The money raised will directly support the district's academic vision of every student a reader, writer, mathematician and ready for college and work. Teachers at a number of high-poverty elementary and K-8 schools will use the funds to select and purchase books for students.
“I am very proud to be named a Symetra Hero in the Classroom this season,” said Kristin Nichols who teaches seventh and eighth grade English and social studies at Summit K-12. “The kids were thrilled to get new classroom novels that they had been wanting since attending an author book talk earlier this year and other much-needed supplies with the generous contribution from this program. We made a wish list of things we needed in our classroom and were able to go out and get many of them. Symetra Heroes in the Classroom really made a difference by allowing me to treat my kids for their hard work and dedication to learning.”
Program partners and the Alliance for Education, a nonprofit organization helping to ensure the academic success of students in Seattle Public Schools, worked with local businesses, including Alliance Packaging, John L. Scott Real Estate and Whole Foods, to raise money for the 2006 Symetra Heroes project. Vulcan also donated an additional $12,000. Due to the generous contributions of these companies, money given to the Seattle Public School District surpassed the project’s goal of $40,000 for the 2006 season.
“School teachers are the cornerstone of education, but they often lack the resources required to help students thrive,” said Randy Talbot, president and CEO of Symetra. “Symetra Heroes in the Classroom aims to provide kids in Seattle Public Schools with the tools they need for success and give much-deserved credit to outstanding teachers in the district.”
The funds will be given to Seattle Public Schools during an on-field check presentation just before the Seahawks take-on the San Diego Chargers, December 24 at Qwest Field.
More information about Symetra Heroes in the Classroom, including a complete 2006 Hero roster, teacher profiles and photos, is available online at
www.symetra.com/heroes.
About Symetra Financial
Symetra Financial is a family of companies with nearly a half-century of experience providing retirement plans, employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through independent distributors nationwide. The company has more than $20 billion in assets* and is owned by an investor group led by White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. For more information, visit Symetra Financial’s Web site at
www.symetra.com.
About Vulcan Inc.
Vulcan Inc. creates and advances a variety of world-class endeavors and high-impact initiatives that change and improve the way people live, learn, do business and experience the world. Founded in 1986 by investor and philanthropist Paul G. Allen, and under the direction of president and CEO Jody Patton, Vulcan oversees various business and charitable projects including real estate holdings, investments in more than 50 companies, including Charter Communications, DreamWorks Animation SKG, Digeo Broadband, the Seattle Seahawks NFL and Portland Trail Blazers NBA franchises, First & Goal Inc., Vulcan Productions, the Seattle Cinerama theatre, Experience Music Project, the Science Fiction Museum & Hall of Fame, and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. For more information about Vulcan, please visit
www.vulcan.com.
About Seattle Public Schools
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is the largest public school system in Washington, and the 44th largest in the United States, with 46,000 students. SPS is a diverse family of 97 schools serving students in a dynamic, standards-based learning community. There are fifty-eight elementary schools, ten middle schools, twelve high schools, nine alternative schools and special programs, and eight K-8 schools in the district. We offer a broad range of programs and learning opportunities, enhanced by strong support from parents, volunteers and community members. For more information, please visit
www.seattleschools.org.
About the Alliance for Education
Alliance for Education is an independent nonprofit organization that advocates for policies and mobilizes resources that advance academic achievement for all students in Seattle Public Schools. For more information, please visit
http://www.alliance4ed.org/.
* Source: Total GAAP assets per financial statements of December 31, 2005.
Symetra® and the Symetra Financial logo are registered service marks of Symetra Life Insurance Company, 777 108th Avenue NE, Suite 1200, Bellevue, WA 98004.
