ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept 16, 2009 -- Celebrating the stories, culture and heritage of America's Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community, Purple Communications, Inc. (PRPL) will honor National Champion Motocross Rider and Floridian, Ashley Fiolek for being a role model to deaf youth nationwide and her accomplishments as a stellar athlete in a male-dominated sport. Community members are encouraged to join in the celebration on September 19, 2009 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, 950 Lake Carillon Drive in Saint Petersburg, FL. The event will feature former Miss Deaf America, Lauren Teruel Ridloff as emcee of the festivities, which include an onstage interview with Ms. Fiolek and 'Q&A' session from 6:45 pm to 9:00 pm, EDT. Purple will also host onsite workshops earlier that day, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, which will include topics on local number registration and a product demo on its P3 optimized Purple Netbook.
The Dream Bigger campaign recognizes trailblazers in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community and aims to celebrate the advances they have made. Whether it has been breaking down barriers or establishing new status quos, these Trailblazers have improved the overall quality-of-life for all members of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community. Fiolek, along with nine other visionaries nationwide in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community, has been chosen as one of this year's finalists. Each finalist was awarded a $1,000 cash prize from Purple Communications to be donated to a non-profit organization of their choice, and in their name as a way of paving the way for the next generation of trailblazers in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community. Ms. Fiolek chose The Hearing Loss Association of Florida, an organization that provides information and educational support, public awareness and both legislative and public policy advocacy, as the recipient of her $1,000 cash prize.
In October 2009, Purple Communications will announce the 2009 Trailblazer of the Year, one of the ten finalists, at the Dream Bigger Gala in Washington, D.C. The selected individual will be chosen by online voting at www.purple.us/dreambigger. The person selected will best represent the essence of the Dream Bigger initiative, and will receive $10,000 to be donated in their name, to their non-profit organization of choice, as well as an all-expenses-paid vacation.
Fiolek's interest in motocross began at the early age of four at a race with her father. Fast forward nine years to age thirteen and she won the first of her many accolades - the Air Nautiques Loretta Lynn Amateur Nationals, deemed the biggest race in amateur motocross. In 2005, Fiolek became the first female to qualify in the boy's class, placing 11th among 42 boys, and shattering the once held stereotype that girls couldn't make it in boy's motocross. Most recently, the 2009 WMX Champion was featured in ESPN The Magazine and was one of four nominees vying for a coveted ESPN ESPY Award for Best Female Action Sports Athlete. Fiolek shares, "I want to give back to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community as much as I can," Fiolek continues. "Who knows? Maybe I'll inspire someone who I'll end up racing against some day!"
"Ashley is an inspiration to deaf youth everywhere. Inspiring others to try the sports they love regardless of whether they are deaf or heard-of-hearing. Her success continues to show the community that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. It's her tenacious spirit that exemplifies what being a Trailblazer is all about," said Brandon Arthur, Vice President of Marketing Communications for Purple Communications. "The Dream Bigger campaign is all about recognizing community visionaries who have the tenacity to fulfill personal dreams and lead the way for individuals in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community to pursue theirs. Purple has always focused on creating cutting-edge technology services that make communication more convenient for its customers."
To learn more about the Dream Bigger campaign, find out dates and locations for all events, view and read Trailblazer stories, and vote for the 2009 Trailblazer of the Year, visit www.purple.us/dreambigger. Also, be sure to follow the Dream Bigger campaign on Twitter - www.twitter.com/idreambigger and Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Purple-Communications/42541479161.
About Purple Communications
Purple Communications is a leading provider of onsite interpreting services, video relay and text relay services, and video remote interpreting, offering a wide array of options designed to meet the varied communication needs of its customers. The Company's vision is to enable free-flowing communication between people, inclusive of differences in abilities, languages, or locations. For more information on the Company or its services, visit www.purple.us or contact Purple Communications directly by voice at 415-408-2300, by Internet relay by visiting www.i711.com or www.ip-relay.com, or by video phone by connecting to hovrs.tv.
To view this press release in video format please click here: www.purple.us/Press/Fiolek.
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