Astorino: Student 'Excellence' Earns Season Pass to Playland

Westchester County students with either GPAs of at least 3.8 (or 95 percent or an A average or better), or perfect attendance for the entire school year, will receive a free season pass to Playland for their efforts, according to Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.

Under the second annual "ACE" project - Astorino Challenge in Education - students in grades six through 12 are eligible for the prize.

The final grades of the participating students are still being tabulated, but the program has skyrocketed in popularity in its second year. In the first year, 138 students signed up, but for the 2013-14 school year that number more than doubled to 347. 

"The young people in Westchester county care about their education and are ready to accept challenges thrown their way," said Astorino in a statement. "It bodes well for their future and our county’s future as well."

Below is the full press release from Astorino's office:

With the 2013-2014 school year recently completed, Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino today honored students who met an academic challenge he issued last September to Westchester County students in grades 6 through 12.  The Astorino Challenge in Education, or “ACE,” offered a free season pass to Playland to students who signed up in September and achieved one of the two following benchmarks during the 2013-2014 school year:

·         Final G.P.A of at least 3.8, 95% or A average, or better (depending on the school’s grading system)

-OR-

·         Perfect attendance for the entire school year.

This was the county’s second year issuing the ACE challenge.  While 138 students signed up last year, a total of 347 students signed up this year.  Winners are still being determined as the many snow days last winter extended the school year and some schools had just mailed out report cards this week.

Astorino was proud of the near tripling of participation for his ACE challenge.

“The young people in Westchester county care about their education and are ready to accept challenges thrown their way. It bodes well for their future and our county’s future as well,” said Astorino.

The free season pass to Playland is good from the date of issue until the end of the season and includes free admission to the park and unlimited rides. The passes are made available through the Westchester County Youth Bureau.