Addressing the education needs of “life challenged” teens and low income individuals/families will be the backdrop at Blue Martini on March 7^th, 2013.  With a strong entertainment lineup including Chris Parker with 98.7 The Peak, Duffy King of the Crown Kings, and various local and national celebrities, it will be more than just an opportunity to give to a great cause.  Those attending will want to get there at 5PM sharp to take advantage of the drink and appetizer offers, incredible silent auction products/services array and to pick up their live auction bidder’s paddle!  Included in the live auction, being held around 7PM, will be exclusive club golf packages, a week’s stay at Bison Ranch, a private jet trip and hotel stays in Vegas, a ski package weekend including lift tickets for four at Heavenly Ski Resort and a special feature including a hosted dinner to be served exclusively by some of the Metro area’s finest firefighters.

E.A.R.N. (Educational Assistant Resources Network), was founded to assist low-income individuals/families and “life challenged” teens reach critical education milestones. John Martin, General Partner at Blue Martini Phoenix, found out about this organization and was ready to offer his full backing.  “I was aware of the high school dropout statistics for our country, but not as educated on the reasons why,” states Mr. Martin.  “Helping E.A.R.N. help struggling teens is simply a no-brainer,” he concludes.  Leeann Verret, of Prospect Mortgage (an event sponsor) agrees. “I truly relate to the struggles of single mothers trying to get on track by going back to school to provide a better life for their family.  I am anxious to see the impact that our “Single Mother Centerpiece” donations will make for them.”

To recap, Blue Martini “Gives Back” will be held on March 7^th, 2013, from 5PM to approximately 7:30PM.

This should be awesome,

The School Mom

This will be a multi-part series examining the differences in jobs and lifetime earning differences for each type of diploma and/or degrees.

A recent study coming out of Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce finds that earning power is increasingly tied to education.  Over a 40-year career, those who did not earn a high school diploma or GED® are expected to bring in $973,000, which translates into slightly more than $24,000 a year.  This is $11.70 per hour.  Obtaining a high school diploma adds 33 percent more to lifetime earnings.  The average annual earnings of people with a high school diploma are $32,600.  This is 15.67 per hour.  This study reveals that clearly the economic penalty for not finishing high school is steep – almost $9,000 a year.  I think this is something that common-sense wise we all knew, but to actually see the dollar amounts attached to it is very eye-opening.  If you do not have your high school diploma or GED®, maybe seeing this report coming out of Georgetown University will help motivate you to take that first step to complete your high school education.  A better job with higher pay awaits you!

Stay tuned…

The School Mom

The GED® Testing Service is a well-known institution that has been around since 1942.  In recent years with the proliferation of fraudulent online schools, they have become very aggressive in defending the use of their GED® trademark.  Franklin Virtual High School has become the first school that the GED® Testing Service has approved to use the GED® trademark on our website and marketing materials under a new program.  At Franklin an accredited online school, we offer GED® Test preparation classes as well as our Fast Track High School completion program.

The School Mom