Bishop Lynch HS And Special Olympics Texas Form Partnership; Both Organizations Reap Benefits of First-of-a-Kind Agreement.

Lifestyle Editors/Education Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 2002

Bishop Lynch High School, Inc. and Special Olympics Texas today announced the formation of a unique partnership that furnishes hundreds of volunteers to Special Olympics Texas while providing meaningful community service experiences for students at the school.

"A well-rounded education includes learning how to give back through community service," said Edward E. Leyden, president of Bishop Lynch. "Through this partnership our students gain skills and experience that provide a foundation for a life-long commitment to helping others."

Bishop Lynch students serve as coaches and volunteers in year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-style events for persons with mental retardation. A number of these competitions will be held at the school, which is making all of its athletic facilities available to Special Olympics Texas.

"Caring and committed volunteers are the life-blood of Special Olympics," said Margaret Larsen, president of Special Olympics Texas. "We expect this partnership with Bishop Lynch to become a model for involving other schools in Texas and throughout the U.S."

Special Olympics Texas is an attractive partner for Bishop Lynch because it provides student volunteers with a true learning experience while they are performing a service to others.

"I would much rather do this than plant trees in a park," said Keith Baker, a recent graduate of Bishop Lynch who volunteered for the recent Spring Games held in Richardson. "Special Olympics is cool -- the athletes taught me a lot about courage and determination."

Bishop Lynch landed Nike as its lead corporate sponsor of its annual charity golf tournament, hosted by five-time PGA Tour winner D.A. Weibring. Proceeds from the September 9, 2002 event will be used to send eight athletes from N. Texas to the 2003 Special Olympic Games held in Ireland. Other funds from the event will improve athletic facilities at the school as well as help underwrite Special Olympics Texas competitions planned for the Bishop Lynch campus during the 2002-2003 school year.

About Bishop Lynch

Bishop Lynch High School, Inc. prides itself on offering a high quality, well-rounded education to a diverse student body. Founded in 1963, Bishop Lynch nurtures an environment where Christian values are learned and practiced in every day student life. Offering a multi-faceted educational program, the school emphasizes core academic subjects, community service and the arts for the more than 1,100 students that attend Bishop Lynch each year.

About Special Olympics

Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization providing year-round sports training and athletic competition to over 27,000 children and adults with mental retardation in the Lone Star State. Through Special Olympics, greatness can be achieved far beyond the field of competition, as participation enhances self-esteem, promotes independence, strengthens families and facilitates social competence, while encouraging fitness.

Special Olympics was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Special Olympics provides people with mental retardation continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their families and community.