Washington D.C.-area Simon centers announce new activation: Simon Supports Education

Washington D.C.-area Simon centers are proud to support Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) in its efforts to increase educational opportunities for at-risk students through Simon Supports Education. The movement incorporates several activations at Clarksburg Premium Outlets, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, Hagerstown Premium Outlets, Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, Queenstown Premium Outlets and St. Charles Towne Center to engage shoppers in SYF’s mission.

Simon Youth Foundation operates 30 non-traditional high school academies across the country, housed primarily in Simon properties, and also provides a scholarship to one student in every community where there is a Simon property. Since its inception in 1998, SYF has helped more than 14,000 at-risk students receive a high school diploma and has awarded more than $16 million in scholarships.

The following Washington D.C.-area students, listed by corresponding property, are the 2017 recipients of a SYF scholarship:

Fashion Centre at Pentagon City

• Bilguunzaya Battogtokh (Yorktown High) to attend Stanford University – SYF Community Scholarship
• Trekia Perkins (Suitland High) to attend Frostburg State University - SYF Power of Orange Scholarship

Queenstown Premium Outlets

• Kristina Eckhardt (Kent Island High) to attend New York University - SYF Power of Orange Scholarship
• James Nasche to attend University of Maryland-Baltimore County – Greg Saunders Legacy Scholarship

St. Charles Towne Center

“Simon Youth Foundation is a national organization, but we can feel the benefit of its efforts right here at home,” said Susan Humphries, director of marketing and business development at Queenstown Premium Outlets. “We are incredibly proud to invite our shoppers to join us in supporting this inspiring organization.”

Washington D.C.-area Simon centers are now offering community members the opportunity to support local students, scholarships and academies through several planned activities and activations, such as:

· Simon Gift Card Purchases: $1 from every SYF Simon Visa gift card purchase will support scholarship and graduation programs in the community. These eye-catching cards are the perfect gift for every graduate on your list this spring.

· Graduation Wall: Shoppers at Queenstown Premium Outlets and St. Charles Towne Center may purchase a sticker to place on the Graduation Wall to honor and celebrate a recent local graduate.

· SYF Photo Booth: Shoppers at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City can stop by the SYF selfie station on the Metro Level on Saturday, June 24 from 1-5 p.m. and play with props including caps, gowns and various filters. Shoppers are encouraged to share their photos on social media with the hashtag #SYF2017 to show support for education in the community.

• Check Presentation: Staff from Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and St. Charles Towne Center will honor their local college scholarship winners with a check presentation at their respective centers. The scholarship is provided by Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that champions educational opportunities for students or all backgrounds. Each year, SYF awards a scholarship to a deserving student that lives within 50 miles of a Simon property.

Media is invited to attend the presentations at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and St. Charles Towne Center to obtain b-roll, photos and interview members of mall management and scholarship recipients.

“Simon Youth Foundation believes that every student deserves the support necessary to earn their high school diploma and that financial reasons should never be the reason preventing a student from pursuing their dreams,” said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, president and CEO of SYF. “We are thrilled to have the support of our incredible corporate partner, Simon, and their Simon Supports Education movement.”

About SYF

SYF is a national non-profit that partners with public school districts to open dropout recovery academies inside Simon shopping malls. The organization now has 30 Simon Youth Academies in 12 states. In the organization’s 18-year history, more than 14,000 students have earned their diploma and more than $16 million in scholarships have been awarded. Visit syf.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@simon_youth), or Instagram (@simonyouthfoundation) for updates.

About Simon

Simon is a global leader in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations and an S&P 100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our properties across North America, Europe, and Asia provide community gathering places for millions of people every day and generate billions in annual sales. For more information, visit simon.com.