Roadtrip Nation takes its inspirational program and iconic green RV to Bowman High School Friday. During the famed program, local professionals share their path to success and encourage youth to dream big. The production was created to help students at risk of dropping out of high school connect their studies and interests to real-world opportunities.

“The heart of our curriculum is to allow students to map their interests to future pathways in life,” said Mike Marriner, Co-Founder of Roadtrip Nation. “With the help of AT&T, we are able to deliver this valuable program to Bowman High School students who are in need of opportunities to explore pathways for their futures.”

Studies reveal that about one-fifth of all students fail to graduate on time; drop-out rates for African American and Hispanic students are even higher at one-third and 30 percent, respectively. Roadtrip Nation fights this crisis with proven results. Evaluation studies measuring the impact of the program show that Roadtrip Nation students’ grades increased at twice the rate of non-Roadtrip Nation students over a 9-month period.

“We are thrilled that AT&T is bringing this fantastic program to Bowman High School for the second time,” said Rob Challinor, Hart School District Superintendent. “Our students will gain valuable knowledge and direction on how to follow their dreams and create a pathway for a successful future.”

In Friday’s program, students engage in self-reflection exercises to identify their interests and career pathways. Roadtrip Nation resources include video interviews with hundreds of successful real-world leaders spanning every industry, which makes the learning process more tangible to students’ lives. Roadtrip Nation then sends students out on a “Roadtrip” to interview local leaders who share their interests. Students also connect to an online community to showcase their media projects and connect with peers who share the same goals and social pressures.

“The Roadtrip Nation experience motivates students to find and then follow their own passions in life,” said Ken McNeely, President of AT&T California. “By bringing the real world into Santa Clarita classrooms and connecting the dots between students’ personal interests and potential careers, we hope to show the relevance of this type of learning and further combat forces that drive students to dropout.”

The support for Roadtrip Nation is part of AT&T Aspire, AT&T’s $350 million commitment to education. With more than 1 million students impacted since its launch in 2008, Aspire is one of the nation’s largest corporate commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.

For more information on Roadtrip Nation, visit http://RoadtripNation.org.

About Roadtrip Nation

Roadtrip Nation Education creates innovative self-discovery resources designed to help students build fulfilling lives and careers around their interests. Combining self-reflection with real-world exposure, Roadtrip Nation tools enable students to connect their interests to relevant life pathways and stay engaged with their futures. Programs are adaptable for traditional and non-traditional classroom environments, giving youth everywhere the chance to define their own roads in life.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2012, more than $131 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.