TO: School District Administrators, Coaches, and Athletic Directors
FROM: Schuyler County School District & Bank of Kirksville
RE: The Permian Experience Educational Partnership

On behalf of Schuyler County School District & Bank of Kirksville, it is our pleasure to announce that on May 10, 2008, the Schuyler County High School Gymnasium will play host to a hybrid event entitled “The Permian Experience”.  This event will feature the true-life inspirations that were chronicled in the motion picture, “Friday Night Lights”.  On May 10^th, Coach Gary Gaines, Mike Winchell, and Don Billingsley will make a special appearance at the Schuyler County High School Gymnasium.  These motion picture inspirations are the centerpiece of what Sports Illustrated considers one of the greatest sports stories of all time.  “The Permian Experience” will contain no fictional content as it gives a no-holds-barred testimonial in the historical legacy of the Permian Football Dynasty.

The focus of this event is for the featured speakers to showcase the authentic stories from the 1988 season that was chronicled by Pulitzer Prize Winning author, H.G. Buzz Bissinger.  The book “Friday Night Lights” made a transformation into Hollywood when the story of the 1988 Permian Panthers was made into the motion picture also known as “Friday Night Lights”, directed by Peter Berg. 

In addition to the real-life characters of the “Friday Night Lights” book and motion picture, former Senior Member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness (George W. Bush & Bill Clinton Administration), Kevin Saunders has accepted an invitation to make a special appearance as he will speak on behalf of Schuyler County School District and Bank of Kirksville.  As one of the Top 100 Motivational Speakers in the world, Kevin has taught people of all ages what it means to transcend personal limitations.  As a Paralympics Champion, Kevin Saunders has left his own legacy of success as he is dubbed “The Greatest All-Around Wheelchair Athlete in the World”.  His contribution to youth leadership development is second to none.  He has traveled the world sharing his incredible story of overcoming the greatest odds and fulfilling what he set out to accomplish, to create a youth culture based on setting higher standard in family, education, athletics, and community.  On May 10, 2008, Kevin will share the stage as he kicks off “The Permian Experience” in Queen City.  Visit www.permianexperience.com or www.kevinsaunders.com to find more information about Kevin Saunders.

The Permian Experience event was developed to have a variety of powerful content including:

• Powerful real-life stories of the Permian Football Dynasty and the principles that were instilled in the players to carry on the legendary traditions in Texas 5A Division I high school football.

• The importance of being proactive within the family, school, and community striving to create and nurture a foundation for leadership and cohesiveness.

• Building awareness for the need of great leadership and sportsmanship on and off the playing field.  To extend those principles to students and prepare them for life following high school and college through inspirational & motivational content.

• To bring an unconventional form of entertainment characterized by the true-life inspirations of the motion picture “Friday Night Lights”.

• Showcasing the powerful spirit of advocacy organizations, ultimately cultivating participation in community campaigns that focus on the commitment to serve a worthy cause.

• To inform, motivate, and inspire individuals with stories based on real-life experiences.

Through the Educational Partnership Program, it is our hope that your school will become a partner in this event and join us as an integral part of the overall success of this evening.  As an Educational Partner of “The Permian Experience”, your school will be recognized at the event as well as on the event website.  Also, your school will have the option to send a press release to local media in reference to the participation as an Educational Partner of “The Permian Experience”.  As an added bonus of the partnership, your school will be listed as a ticket location with a designated office for students, faculty, staff, and community members to purchase tickets for the event.  As this event features the real-life characters in a major motion picture as well as the special guest appearance of a high-profile speaker, the tickets are distributed by purchasing them in advance.  As we hope your school district will participate, this event has had a high level of anticipation throughout the Northern Region of Missouri. 

If your School District has interest in participating in the Educational Partnership Program, please contact Jeffrey Bergman at (660) 349-8612 or jbergman@standpointcommunications.com .

Best Regard,

Robert Amen, Principal
Schuyler County High School

Bob Elder, Superintendent
Schuyler County School District

Kenny Sparks, Athletic Director
Schuyler County School District

Norman Belitz, Chief Executive Officer
Bank of Kirksville

Brenda Magruder, Executive Vice President
Bank of Kirksville