PRESS RELEASE & QUOTES FROM PRESS CONFERENCE

THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY BREAKS GROUND ON

DICK VITALE FAMILY STUDENT CENTER and

DART FOUNDATION STEM CENTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For further information contact:

AUGUST 28, 2014Shannon Drosky, Dir. of Communication 305-975-8194 (cell),

Sarasota: The leadership of The Out-of-Door Academy along with lead donors Dick Vitale and Ariane Dart officially announced the names of the new facilities currently under construction at the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch. At a press conference on Thursday, August 28, the school leadership and lead donors officially broke ground on the Dick Vitale Family Student Center and Dart Foundation STEM Center, the newest facility for The Out-of-Door Academy.

David Mahler, Head of School at The Out-of-Door Academy, shares the impact these new facilities will have on the education for the school.“The inspiration for these transformational new facilities comes from a shared vision for the future of teaching and learning at The Out-of-Door Academy. The educational landscape is rapidly evolving and the spaces we have designed, combined with a rigorous curriculum focused on critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity will give our students a competitive advantage as they transition to life on a college campus.

The Dick Vitale Family Student Center is modeled after like facilities at colleges and universities across the nation. Integrating state of the art technology, the Student Center will provide comfortable and flexible spaces for students to work, collaborate, pursue extracurricular interests and socialize. Upon its opening in the summer of 2015, it will become the epicenter of student life at The Out-of-Door Academy.

The Dart Foundation STEM Center is a one of a kind facility designed to immerse Out-of-Door students in a variety of project based learning opportunities that fully integrate the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The STEM project lab will provide an environment where our students will be able to design and develop their own research projects from the conceptual phase to full-scale implementation.”

Mitzie Henson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, shares: “As a Board, we constantly strive to position The Out-of-Door Academy for success. We have 21 dedicated trustees who are committed to providing strategic planning and support to continue the growth of this outstanding college preparatory school. We strive to make a positive impact for the students and faculty who walk through these doors everyday.One way we can do that is facilities. This past May, the Board voted to approve the plans for a college inspired student center, a world class STEM center, and a total re-imagination of our middle school space.We feel that these are essential elements to help prepare our students for success both inside and outside the college classroom.

I would like to personally thank the entire Board for their tireless work to bring this idea to reality and to especially thank our lead donors, Mr. Dick Vitale and his entire family and Mrs.Ariane Dart and her family representing the Dart Foundation, for making this all possible.”

Ron Gelbman, Member of the Board of Trustees and Capital Campaign Chair, adds:

“A decade ago, we launched a new era in the amazing 90 year history of The Out-of-Door Academy. Our plan was to totally remake the Siesta Key Campus and add new facilities to the Uihlein Campus here in Lakewood Ranch that would continue to fulfill our mission of academics, athletics, and the arts.Our campaign to raise $15 million began in 2008. While our timing with the recession was less than perfect, we have surpassedthe $15 milliongoal and we are well on our way to over $20 million.In order to achieve this vision set by the board - to have a college inspired student center, a world-class STEM center, and a total re-imagination of our middle school - an institution needs philanthropic minded lead donors - donors who believe in the importance of education. We are most fortunate to have the Vitale and Dart families who wanted to help us make a huge difference in the lives of young people.Our journey to surpass $20 million continues and the path has now been lit by the Vitales and Darts (representing the Dart Foundation) as we continue to work with additional donors to continue our fundraising.”

Dick Vitale: "l have been so impressed with the quality of the education provided to the students by the faculty, coaches and administration of the Out-of-Door Academy. They embody the qualities that I believe in so strongly to help prepare our youngsters to develop into our future community leaders. I certainly have been blessed in my career and I have lived a life that has exceeded all of my dreams. It brings joy to my heart, and to my family's, to be able to help provide a special place for students to collaborate, learn and explore their passions as they further their education and pursue their dreams and goals."

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