Other LanguagesBELLEVUE – Seattle native Apolo Anton Ohno, the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian in history, joined Attorney General Rob McKenna today at Chinook Middle School in Bellevue, Wash., to spread the message about the dangers of underage drinking. The event concluded Ohno’s five-city tour to schools throughout the country, a campaign established by the Apolo Anton Ohno Foundation in partnership with the The Century Council and its Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix program.
Encouraging kids to say “YES” to a healthy lifestyle and “NO” to underage drinking, the Ask, Listen, Learn campaign was launched by The Century Council in 2003. The result of collaboration with educators and medical professionals, it uses interactive sessions to teach middle school kids and their parents about underage drinking and the importance of healthy life choices.
“I am proud that Seattle’s own Apolo Ohno embraces the Ask, Listen, Learn program,” Attorney General Rob McKenna said. “Apolo is an excellent role model for kids in our state. He shows that you can do anything when you choose dedication, determination and a healthy lifestyle. Part of that lifestyle is to reject underage drinking.”
The core principle of the The Apolo Anton Ohno Foundation is to give children of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to participate in sports and learn the benefits of positive decision-making.
“The decisions I made as a young teen heavily influenced where I am today. In fact, many of the decisions I’ve made off the ice have contributed the most to my success,” said Ohno, winner of eight medals in short-track speed skating – the most by any U.S. Winter Olympian in history. “I truly believe that healthy habits and positive choices start at childhood, which is why I’m proud to establish my own Foundation and work with The Century Council to spread healthy messages, including ‘say no’ to underage drinking, to kids across the country.”
Media Contacts: Kristin Alexander, Washington Attorney General’s Office, (206) 464-6432, kalexander@atg.wa.gov
Janelle Guthrie, Director of Communications, (360) 586-0725
Jessica Lepak, The Century Council, (202) 637-0077, lepakJ@centurycouncil.org