The Air Force And The Perfect Prom

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — The Air Force has a new message for high school students – “Be safe. Be smart. Be sober. Make the right choice.”

Along with Perfect Proms and Universal recording artists Sister Hazel, the Air Force is sponsoring the first ever Perfect Prom Sweepstakes, which began on January 2 and will run through February 27.

 “The sweepstakes is a chance to gain maximum exposure on an important message,” said Brigadier Gen Duane Deal, Air Force Recruiting Service commander. “We’re excited about reaching teens with this message, as well as our message of opportunities in the Air Force.”

Although not directly tied to the recruiting process, the campaign offers a chance for recruiters to reinforce good citizenship among one of their primary audiences. “We’re serious about helping young people to make good choices,” said Master Sgt Juan Demiranda, account executive for Air Force Recruiting Service. “Recruiters and high school students are very familiar with each other, so we feel we’re communicating a social message that is beneficial to everybody.”

One lucky student will win the grand prize, and the school he or she attends will receive an all-expense paid prom and a live post-prom concert by Sister Hazel. Sixty other students will win prizes in the sweepstakes, including tuxedo and limousine rentals, and makeovers.

StudentsAware Communications initiated the Perfect Prom campaign of “Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Sober – Make the Right Choices” in 1994. The thrust of this campaign is aimed at young people in a very vulnerable time when many are at risk of making bad choices.

“We’re grateful to America’s Air Force for sponsoring this event and helping us bring this important message to teenagers across the country during the prom season,” said Tom Lutes, StudentAware’s Perfect Proms program director. “And we’re very excited about Sister Hazel’s participation as well.”

Over 12,000 high schools across the country received promotional materials that show students how to enter the sweepstakes. The program will also be highlighted in popular teen magazines and Web sites. Students can enter online at www.airforce.com or www.perfectproms.com.