Ashworth College and US Speedskating Team up to support Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities

June 14, 2012 - PRLog -- PEACHTREE CORNERS, Georgia –  Members of the US Speedskating team, who are also Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/) students, took time from of their rigorous training schedule to join the online school and volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta, GA.

Trevor Marsicano and Jilleane Rookard, both members of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team, and Emily Scott, who recently took home a silver medal the 2012 ISU World Short Track Championships are Ashworth students. Olympic silver medalist Marsicano is pursuing an online Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies, while Rookard pursues an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. Scott is enrolled in the online Business Management Certificate Program.

At the House, the athletes demonstrated their off-the-ice talents as they each baked batches their favorite cookie recipes to share with the patients and their families. After joining the families for dinner, the skaters presented the House with an autographed competition skin (uniform).

“The administration and staff at Ashworth makes an on-going effort to give back to our local community and we’re excited that these students took time from their rigorous training schedules to join us,” said Rob Klapper, Ashworth’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Several members of the US Speedskating team are currently enrolled with Ashworth and we’re proud to have them as students,” Klapper added. “They represent a segment of students who appreciate online learning as a way to successfully earn a college degree while pursuing other interests. Whether athletics, performing arts or simply returning to school while holding down a full time job, these non-traditional students prove every day that it is possible to successfully integrate online learning into their already demanding lives.”

About Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. (ARMHC) has served the needs of children, by providing temporary housing and support services to families of ill and injured children being treated at local hospitals since 1979. ARMHC maintains two Atlanta Houses in the Metro area and serves approximately 2,000 families of ill and injured children each year.

About US Speedskating

US Speedskating is a non-profit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union as the governing body for the sport of speedskating in the United States. Its mission is to be one of the premier speedskating organizations in the world through excellence in leadership, development and performance. To date, US Speedskating has won 85 Olympic medals, making it the most successful winter sport in the U.S. In addition to its elite programs, US Speedskating is responsible for the grassroots development of speedskating. For more information, follow US Speedskating on Facebook, Twitter and visit www.usspeedskating.org

About Ashworth College

Celebrating 25 years of Educating Minds and Changing Lives, leading online school Ashworth College has built a tradition of excellence by offering students worldwide an extensive range of online college degrees, online certificate programs, career training and online high school diploma options that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth offers military education as well as specialized programs for corporate partners and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Ashworth is parent to James Madison High School which is accredited regionally by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancED and further provides career training and vocational programs in the fields of health, business, technology, education, and skilled trades through sister schools PCDI Canada, New York Institute of Photography and Sheffield School.