FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Wyand
Media Release
FIGHTING LIKE A GIRL WINS HIGH HONOR! THE ALI KEMP EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION RECOGNIZED WITH PRESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD
Overland Park, Kan. (February 11, 2009) –Fighting like a girl recognized state-wide! The Ali Kemp Educational (T.A.K.E.) Foundation has been awarded again for promoting safety awareness, quality of life and personal self protection. Roger Kemp, father of Ali Kemp who was murdered while working as a lifeguard at a neighborhood swimming pool in 2002, was honored by the Kansas Recreation and Park Association in Hutchinson Kansas at the organization’s State Conference. Kemp was recognized with the Presidential Citation Award for his contributions to the citizens of Kansas for improving their quality life in their communities.
“It’s very rewarding to know our focus on safety awareness and defense training also garner such respect and recognition from our very own community and beyond,” said Roger Kemp, T.A.K.E. Foundation President and Ali Kemp’s father.
The award was given by the state association’s President Dawn Grosdidier, who is the Assistant Park and Recreation Director of the city of Lenexa. Grosdidier cited Roger and his wife Kathy for their selfless act of starting The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation, who’s program T.A.K.E. Defense has trained more than 35,000 girls and women ages twelve to eighty-nine years of age in the importance of safety awareness and personal self protection.
“We’d like to extend our thanks to the girls and woman across America who believe in and continue to be a part of our T.A.K.E. Defense training program making it possible for our local classes and University Tour to be in overwhelmingly high demand and at maximum capacity,” said Jill Leiker, T.A.K.E. Foundation Executive Director and lead Defense Training Instructor.
Alexandra Kemp (Ali to everyone who knew her) was a beautiful and caring nineteen-year-old girl who was murdered while working at a neighborhood pool in Johnson County, Kansas. Ali represented the finest of her generation. She excelled in school where she was a member of National Scholastic Honor Society and an honors student, both at Blue Valley North High School and at Kansas State University. She was a skilled sports enthusiast, competing in soccer, volleyball and basketball. Ali served as a volunteer, giving generously of her time and talents to many endeavors in her church, community, and at Kansas State where she had just finished her freshman year as a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Most of all, Ali excelled in life as a wonderful person, daughter, sister and friend to all who she touched. Over 1,400 of Ali’s friends and family members came to her funeral, a special testimony to a life far too short, but full of accomplishments far beyond her years.
All monies raised for The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation are dedicated to providing programs and scholarships for young people from middle school through adulthood. Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation, 6501 Antioch Road, Shawnee Mission, KS, 66202. The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation is a 501(c) (3) corporation.
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