We get calls and e-mails every week from KnowHow2GO partners hosting campaign events and activities. Because so many of their great ideas can be replicated in other areas and by other organizations, we wanted to share some of our favorites with you.

Below are short recaps of state and national partner activities. For more information about an event, or to submit one of your own, contact the partner helpline at 888-716-6382 or partnerhelp@KnowHow2GO.org. And check back often – we'll post new ideas as they come in!

On the Air, Off to Orlando Radio PSA Contest
In March 2007, KnowHow2GO and the YMCA launched a co-sponsored contest: On the Air, Off to Orlando. The contest challenged students affiliated with the YMCA to write, perform and produce radio public service advertisements (PSAs) encouraging their peers to prepare for college. KnowHow2GO kicked off the contest at the YMCA's Teen Leadership Summit in Louisville, KY – and promoted it at subsequent Summits in Raleigh, NC, and Harrisburg, PA.

The winning team – Aamina Muhammad and Shakira Onwuachi of the North Community YMCA in Minneapolis, MN – received an all-expenses-paid trip to the Teen Leadership Summit in Orlando, FL. There, they were congratulated by Fonzworth Bentley, the hip-hop artist and voice of KnowHow2GO's “Wanna Go” PSA. Click here to download the winning PSAs.

 

Nebraska Governor Signs College Access Editorial
Gov. Dave Heineman quickly became an advocate for KnowHow2GO. Just days after the state campaign launch on June 13, an editorial signed by the governor was published in two newspapers – Southwest Nebraska News and the York News-Times.

 

KnowHow2GONebraska Secures 20 Billboards
EducationQuest Foundation convinced Lamar Outdoor Advertising to donate an impressive 20 KnowHow2GO billboards in locations throughout Nebraska. Look for billboards in the following locations.

 

Strive Lands KnowHow2GO Ads in Cincinnati Enquirer
The Cincinnati-based college access organization Strive placed a series of donated KnowHow2GO ads in the Cincinnati Enquirer. The newspaper's 200,000+ circulation built strong awareness for the local campaign.
 
Nebraska Press Association Lends its Support
KnowHow2GO ads also appeared in newspapers throughout Nebraska during the month of September, thanks to the persistence of EducationQuest and the generosity of the Nebraska Press Association.
 
KnowHow2GOIowa Profiled on CBS Affiliate
The CBS affiliate in Eastern Iowa aired an in-depth feature on KnowHow2GOIowa. The story explained the services provided by KnowHow2GOIowa and its lead state partner, the Iowa Student Loan College Access Network.
 
Local Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Board
Over the summer, KnowHow2GO posted an ad on the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's intranet, encouraging local Clubs to partner with the campaign. We received positive responses from more than 30 Clubs and hosted two conference calls to introduce them to the campaign. KnowHow2GO then mailed “starter kits” with materials and suggestions for college preparation activities. We'll continue to work with these Clubs, and many more, as the campaign expands.
 
KnowHow2GONebraska Creates Guidebook for Students
Our partners in Nebraska, led by EducationQuest Foundation, introduced innovative, new materials and activities this fall. At the start of the academic year, they distributed an eight-page publication based on KnowHow2GO's “four steps” to all 8th through 10th graders in the state. Click here to view this resource.
 
They've Got Spirit, Yes They Do
EducationQuest Foundation also planned KnowHow2GO pep rallies at five schools across the state during September and October. The events were attended by hundreds of students as well as Gov. Dave Heineman and Miss Nebraska Ashley Bauer.
 
KnowHow2GO at Iowa's Latino Heritage Festival
Our lead partner in Iowa, the Iowa Student Loan College Access Network, sponsored a booth at the state Latino Heritage Festival on September 8 and 9. The event was attended by a record-breaking 40,000 people from throughout the state. Thanks to Juan Garcia and Anna Haug, many of those attendees left with KnowHow2GO postcards and brochures in Spanish and English
 
Ohio Hosts KnowHow2GO-Themed Conference

On September 16-18, the Ohio College Access Network hosted their annual College Access and Success Conference and Student Summit. They planned the events around KnowHow2GO and created orange brochures, save-the-date postcards, t-shirts and tote bags that fit the theme. While adult attendees learned about helping students succeed in education and life, their student counterparts learned to help themselves.

Student attendees engaged in college prep activities that they'll bring back to their middle and high schools. One activity, modeled after KnowHow2GO's radio PSA contest, asked students to create their own PSAs telling classmates how to go to college.

New to KnowHow2GO: National College Advising Corps
KnowHow2GO recently teamed up with the National College Advising Corps. Modeled after Teach for America, the Corps trains newly minted college graduates in 10 states to help underserved high school students prepare for college.

KnowHow2GO recently flew five members to Baltimore to shoot “virtual host” footage for the campaign Web site. Beginning on November 16, visitors to the site will be greeted by Corps members offering advice and direction.

 

PSAs Air on University of Northern Iowa Jumbotron
Beginning on November 8, the University of Northern Iowa will play the localized KnowHow2GO IowaTV spot on its jumbotron during sporting events. One such event is a basketball tournament featuring universities from across the country, including Northern Illinois University, California Polytechnic State University and the University of Massachusetts. The PSA will also air during the University of Northern Iowa's home football games and the state high school football playoffs, which are hosted on campus.