Students and School Benefit From TV Pilot Filmed in Spartanburg
GREENVILLE, S.C. (Oct. 15, 2011) – A national production company was on-site at Spartanburg's Fairforest Elementary School this evening filming the pilot
for a new television game-show called Diplom-A-Rama. Michelin worked with the production company, Silent Crow Arts, to create a new game show
concept for elementary school children. Nine students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades competed as part of the Michelin Challenge Education program.
Cayden Scruggs, a third grader was the overall winner; he won a $5,000 college scholarship from Michelin. Gianna Christodoulou and Wyatt Jennings finished
second and third, respectively, and received savings bonds from Michelin. In addition to the individual scholarship awards, Michelin gave Fairforest
Elementary a technology make-over, donating Promethean smart boards and equipping the school's two science labs with new laptop computers.
"Michelin Challenge Education is dedicated to improving the quality of public education in our facility cities across North America," said Herb Johnson,
director of community relations for Michelin North America. "Each week, hundreds of Michelin employee volunteers are actively engaged in 18 public schools
across five states. Tonight's event grew out of that commitment and was designed as an innovative opportunity to challenge our children and help pave their
path to a college education. Fairforest is doing wonderful work and we're thrilled to have them pilot this exciting new game show."
Silent Crow Arts selected student contestants based on their academic excellence. Questions for the game were taken from the students' current curriculums.
Three local adult celebrities helped the students during the game: Darryl Owings, superintendent for Spartanburg District 6; David Cordeau, president and
CEO of Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce; and Anna Padaetz, a Michelin industrial engineer who volunteers her time regularly at the school.
"The support of Michelin North America and other Upstate businesses helps us enhance the learning environment in our schools," said District 6
Superintendent Darryl Owings. "Having their talented employees volunteer time in our schools helps expose students to possible careers they may never
otherwise consider."
Silent Crow Arts has produced content for National Geographic Channel, History Channel, MTV, TLC and Discovery Channel, among others. Following production,
the pilot will be shopped to networks, and Michelin hopes this show will become a model it can repeat in other cities.