March, 24, 2009 -- Miami Palmetto Senior High School student Noah Gray is no ordinary eleventh grader. He is a Special Olympics mega-fan. An extraordinary student who also finds time to tutor other students and participate in a seemingly endless list of extracurricular activities. Noah was recruited by Special Olympics because of his exemplary work on the Virgin Voting campaign aimed at mobilizing first-time voters during the 2008 elections. Noah subsequently attended the Global Youth Rally during the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho last month and produced an "R-word" PSA for Special Olympics (watch it now).

Inspired by what he experience at the Global Youth Rally, Noah decided to produce his own "Spread the Word to End the Word" event at his high school.

On March 31, over 700 students will take part in a Youth Rally as part of a national, youth-lead day of awareness for America to stop and think about their use of the R-word. That R-word is not "recession," but something more hurtful and painful - "retard."

The goal of Spread the Word to End the Word is to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the R-word and encourage people to pledge to stop using it.

The 50-minute rally will feature actor Eddie Barbanell from the hit movie "The Ringer," Special Olympics athletes and volunteers, and original music performed by rap artist Rush. Also on the program are original videos produced by young people. High school students across the country will be asked to take the pledge to stop using the "R" word and to help raise awareness among their friends.

Watch the event live at www.schooltube.com, beginning at 12:35PM (ET) on Tuesday, March 31!

UPDATE (4-1-09): the rally is now available for on-demand viewing.

We invite everyone to tune-in on-line and continue the conversation with their friends, children, colleagues and families so that we can all help Spread the Word to End the Word.

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