Country Music Herald

I have lots of interests, but perhaps the one closest to my heart is developing leadership and service skills in teenagers. That is the main reason I became a high school teacher. I love working with high school kids and hope to teach them some great life skills such as how to give back to their communities. In fact, I’ve been involved for 15 years now with the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) program which fosters leadership skills in high school sophomores with an emphasis on community service. I went through the program as a sophomore and have been highly involved ever since because I believe so much in the cause. In fact, I’m currently the Iowa HOBY corporate board president and I’m very proud of our work.

When I was asked to help promote CMT’s involvement with Global Youth Service Day, I was more than happy to oblige. This year’s service days are April 25-27 and Diana Degarmo from “Gone Country” and “American Idol” fame will be the honorary spokesperson this year. CMT’s One Country is a proud partner of the program, and it’s a great initiative that I support 100%.

To learn more about Global Youth Service Day, read the press release after the jump.

country music, CMT One Country, Youth Service America, Global Youth Service Day

CMT ONE COUNTRY AND YOUTH SERVICE AMERICA RE-UNITE FOR
GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY APRIL 25- 27

Diana DeGarmo, of CMT’s GONE COUNTRY, to be Honorary Spokesperson
for Global Youth Service Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 10, 2008 – CMT One Country, the pro-social initiative for cable network CMT, and Youth Service America have joined forces for the second year in a row to help motivate youth in America for Global Youth Service Day on April 25- 27, the largest volunteering event in the world. Recording artist Diana DeGarmo of CMT’s GONE COUNTRY, will be the honorary spokesperson for Global Youth Service Day, speaking publicly on behalf of the event on radio, television and print opportunities. Events kick-off Friday, April 25 and run through Sunday, April 27.

“On behalf of CMT One Country and Youth Service America, I am delighted to speak to youth about the importance of volunteering, ” says DeGarmo. “I am inspired and honored to be part of a generation that is recognizing more than ever the importance of giving back.”

Shooting to fame on “American Idol” in 2004, Diana DeGarmo has thus far enjoyed a fruitful career; releasing an album, touring across the country and the world and even acting on Broadway all before the tender age of 18. After auditioning on “American Idol” at age 16, DeGarmo went through weeks of auditions before making it to the top 32, where she first sang before a national TV audience. After making it to the final two on Idol in 2004, DeGarmo went on tour with the rest of the top 10 and released her single “Dreams,” which became the third best selling single of the year. DeGarmo also made her theatrical debut as Maria in the San Jose production of “West Side Story” in November 2005. DeGarmo impressed as Maria with both her singing and natural acting ability. While looking into the movie version of “Hairspray” in 2005, DeGarmo was asked to audition for the Broadway production of “Hairspray”. DeGarmo returned to Atlanta after the audition, only to find out that she had indeed been offered the role as Penny Lou Pingleton in the Broadway production. Most recently, DeGarmo appeared in the hit CMT series, GONE COUNTRY, which takes seven established performers from every realm of the entertainment and music industries and immerses them in all things country for a chance at country music stardom.

“After a successful partnership in 2007, CMT One Country is proud to once again join forces with Youth Service America for Global Youth Service Day to help reinforce the importance of volunteerism among all age groups,” said Lucia Folk, director of public affairs, CMT. “Diana DeGarmo, a favorite from CMT’s GONE COUNTRY and a talented young artist, is an excellent role model and spokesperson for the youth of America.”

“It’s an honor to work with CMT One Country and Diana DeGarmo who is committed to youth serving in their communities. CMT’s leadership increases the scale and visibility of youth service year-round, and helps youth in America play a lead role in learning about community needs, while giving their time, energy, commitment, and idealism,” says Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. “Millions of young people serving together on Global Youth Service Day performing strategic service sends a powerful message of hope and healing around the globe,” Culbertson adds.

Spanning three days, April 25, 26 and 27, 2008, GYSD involves millions of young people across the world, with the help of mentors, parents, and teachers. Young volunteers will address important community needs through service and service-learning projects addressing climate change, literacy, poverty, human rights, and many other issues.

Global Youth Service Day is the largest youth service event in the world. GYSD is a year-round effort to expand the impact of the youth service movement. The initiative launches new service organizations, policy changes, and sustainable service programs to create a culture of engaged youth. State Farm Companies Foundation is the presenting sponsor. More than 120 national partners and 75 lead agencies throughout the United States organize campaigns. Overseas, national lead agencies in more than 100 countries participate. Planning Tool Kits, Service-Learning Curriculum Guides, classroom posters, grants, and more are available for youth, parents, teachers and organizations. For the U.S. Map of Service Projects for GYSD 2008: www.YSA.org/map .

CMT One Country, CMT’s pro-social initiative, was launched in the fall of 2005 to promote civic participation and inspire CMT viewers to take action and bring about important change in their communities. CMT One Country partners include America’s Second Harvest, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Habitat for Humanity, Hands On Network and the USO (United Service Organizations). Led by Advisory Board members President Jimmy Carter, Maya Angelou and General Colin Powell, whose combined service to America is legendary, CMTONECOUNTRY.com aims to offer tools to help anyone start making a difference immediately. For more information: www.CMTONECOUNTRY.com.

CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and Heartland entertainment, reaching more than 87 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 150 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Youth Service America seeks to improve communities by increasing the number and diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in important roles. Founded in 1986, YSA is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries to expand the impact of the youth service movement with families, communities, schools, corporations, and governments. For more information: www.YSA.org.