I don't normally put press releases on the front page of the blog, I usually put them in "NASCAR Related Press Releases" which can be found in the left side-bar of the front page, but I couldn't resist this one.

Bobby has been doing this all year at almost every track he goes to and I've got to say I commend him and ask.com for promoting safe internet use among our youth today.  The world wide web is a vast new world for most of our tweens and unfortunatly like the rest of the world there are bad people on the web looking to take advatange of our young and we as parents must do our part to keep them safe but it is also good to see big name companies like ask.com and people like Bobby Labonte using their fame by sharing in some of that responsibility too.

Thank-you ask.com and Bobby Labonte for trying to make a difference.

Now here is the press release:

Most students would probably compare taking their end of year tests to sitting in a dentist’s chair.  However, on Thursday, Brittany Osborne of J.V. Washam Elementary in Cornelius, N.C. could not wait to get started on her tests, because she knew when they were over, she would get to eat lunch and take a spin with NASCAR driver and former Sprint Cup Series Champion Bobby Labonte in recognition of her school’s selection for top honors in the Ask.com Safe Search Schools Program. 

"To be honest, I didn’t really think I would win," said Osborne.  "But, I’m so glad I did because it was awesome meeting Mr. Labonte and riding in the Ask.com Ford.  I felt like a hero today because I was able to help my school get new computers!"

The students and teachers at J.V. Washam Elementary were honored for their outstanding work in Internet safety education and received a $10,000 in funds for new computers from Ask.com.  As part of the program, elementary school teachers, librarians and computer specialists in the Charlotte, N.C. area conducted Internet safety lessons and worked with students to generate submissions that included their own ideas about how to teach online safety.  J.V. Washam Elementary was selected by a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts from 330 entries from 14 elementary schools in the Charlotte-area that entered the program, including: Ashley Park, Bethel, Cool Spring, Cox Mill, David Cox Road, Hawk Ridge, Highland Creek, Hornets Nest, Love Memorial, Mt. Mourne, Piney Grove, Thomasboro and University Park Creative Arts elementary schools. 

"It’s great to see children my own kids’ ages engaged and really enjoying learning about safely exploring the worlds available to them online," said Labonte.  "Having lunch with an honored J.V. Washam Elementary student and going for a ride with her after a morning of testing is a gift in itself."